Foster care is a protective service to children and their families when families can no longer care for their children. There are many reasons and circumstances that make it difficult for biological families to meet the needs of their children—including poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, teen pregnancy, loss of a job, or lack of support from extended family. Unlike birth parents, foster parents receive training before they welcome children into their home, and support from social workers and other professionals throughout the process. Foster parents often also have access to respite care programs, and find support through local organizations, such as churches, and online support groups.

Traditionally, the foster parent’s role was seen as a temporary one—and even today more than half of children who enter foster care are reunified with their birth parents. Foster parents are frequently asked to support these reunification efforts—including facilitating visitations and attending court appearances—and must always be prepared to accept the loss of a child who returns to birth parents or is placed with another relative when that is found to be in the child’s best interest.

In Pennsylvania, foster care is regulated by the Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically through the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF). Foster care serves as a temporary arrangement for children who cannot live with their biological families due to various challenges such as poverty, substance abuse, or mental illness. Prospective foster parents in PA are required to complete training and are supported by social workers and other professionals throughout their fostering journey. They also have access to resources like respite care and support groups. Foster parents play a crucial role in supporting the goal of reunification with biological families, which is a primary objective in many cases. This involves facilitating visitations, attending court appearances, and being prepared for the possibility of the child returning to their birth parents or being placed with relatives. The foster care system in PA emphasizes the best interest of the child, which guides decisions on reunification or alternative permanent placements.