Becoming a Caregiver

Deciding to join the world of Fostering or Kinship Care is a big decision for you and your family. In Alberta, foster families can apply to foster with either the Government Foster Care program, Delegated First Nations Agencies or with one of the Contract Foster Care Agencies. An important first step for applicants, is to explore what support options are available to them when choosing the best fit for your family.

Please scroll down to learn more about foster and kinship care opportunities in Alberta, or to submit a referral to attend an information session.  

Becoming A Kinship Caregiver

“Kinship care is an extended family home that’s approved to care for a child or youth in care. The caregiver must have a family relationship or significant connection to the child – for example, grandparent, aunt or close family friend.  Supports for kinship care are similar to the supports provided to a child and caregivers in foster care… 

…A caseworker from Children’s Services or a Delegated First Nation Agency might contact you directly to advise you that they are considering taking a child or youth that you know into care. You could be asked to attend a family or network meeting to assist with safety planning for the child or youth. If, during this meeting, it is determined that the child’s or youth’s safety cannot be met in their family home, you may be asked to consider becoming a kinship caregiver.

If you know a child/youth who has come into care of Children’s Services, and want to learn more about how to become a kinship caregiver, please contact your local Children’s Services office OR Delegated First Nations Agency.“

– https://www.alberta.ca/become-kinship-caregiver.aspx 

 

 

 

 

 

Foster with Children’s Services

To learn more about becoming a foster caregiver with Alberta Children’s Services, please submit a referral form below to attend an information session. We encourage you to visit the Alberta Children’s Services website; it has a wealth of information on foster and kinship care in Alberta, and supports available to caregivers.

Submit a Referral Form

Foster with a Delegated First Nations Agency (DFNA)

“First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities play a major role in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child intervention services…

…Child intervention services are delivered on Reserves by Delegated First Nation Agencies through 17 Agreements with 37 of the 48 First Nations in Alberta.”

– https://www.alberta.ca/delegated-first-nation-agencies.aspx#location0-12

To learn more about DFNA’s, for a listing of DFNA’s in Alberta, and their contact information, please visit the link above. 

 

 

Foster with a Contract Foster Care Agency

There are a number of Foster Care Contract Agencies throughout Alberta. We encourage you to visit their sites to learn about their programs. 

 

If you are a Foster Care Contract Agency, and are not on this list, and would like to be, please email us.