Right now, children across the country are waiting for a safe home, a steady presence, and someone who will simply show up for them. Choosing to foster, or to support a child in the system in any way, is among the most sacrificial, loving, and life-affirming things a person can do. It asks much of you, but it gives a child something they may have never had: the belief that they matter.
Whether you're fostering, thinking about it, or just want to help, these resources can point you in the right direction.
The Reel Hope Project / thereelhopeproject.org
Lifeline Children’s Services / lifelinechild.org/adoption
Adopt out of OC foster care / oc4kids.com/foster-adoption
Advantage / advantageffa.com
Olive Crest / olivecrest.org
Camp Alendale / campalandale.org/getinvolved
Royal Family Kids Camp / forthechildren.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County / (714) 544-7773 / ocbigs.org
Court Appointed Special Advocates / (714) 619-5155 / casaoc.org
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
Teen Leadership Foundation / (949) 899-8100 / teenleadershipfoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
Hearts in Motion Program (SSA) / (888) 871-5437 / oc4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
The Raise Foundation / (714) 884-3421 / theraisefoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
Heart Gallery Orange County (SSA) / oc4kids.com
Heart & Home - The Closet / heartandhome4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
Olive Crest - Safe Families / (714) 543-5437 / olivecrest.org
Teen Leadership Foundation / (949) 899-8100 / teenleadershipfoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
The Riverbank Organization / rvbk.org
Project Foster Suitcases / danapointwomensclub.org
Heart & Home - The Closet / heartandhome4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
What is Orangewood? OCFC is a 24-hour, emergency shelter facility, in need of caring volunteers willing to create positive connections with children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Email: ocfcvolunteers@ssa.ocgov.com or call (714) 935-7584
Through partnerships with churches in Orange County, RFKC provides a 5-day summer camp experience where foster youth can cultivate healthy connections, establish trust, and begin their journey toward healing. RFKC is dedicated to the belief that every child deserves a life filled with safety, hope, and unconditional love.
In Orange County, many children in foster care are placed with relatives. This is called a kinship placement. The Riverbank Organization steps in to help all foster and kinship resource parents have what they need to care for the children from car seats and cribs to birthday presents and bikes! Host a donation drive for Riverbank to help them continue to provide radical generosity.
The annual Back to School Bash is an EPIC collaborative event where kids who have been impacted by foster care come from all over Orange County to collect premium backpacks and school supplies. Along with receiving free supplies, food, haircuts, and participating in activities (with lots of fun prizes!!), the youth who attend are connected to local resources that will ensure they step into a new school year with dignity, confidence, support and style!
The Wild Hearts Academy is an Equine Assisted Learning & Wellness Initiative developed to harness the healing power of horses to address the mental health disparity with children who have been impacted by foster care. The program offers an incredible alternative to traditional therapy and is provided to the children at no cost to the foster family.
The financial literacy program is specifically tailored for teens and young adults aging out of the foster care system. This initiative holds immense potential to F.L.I.P the narrative of homelessness, incarceration, and other prevalent outcomes that often result from growing up in foster care. This program aims to equip teens and young adults with essential financial knowledge, skills, and resources that can empower them to build a strong foundation for a stable and prosperous future.
Becoming a foster parent is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference in a child's life, and getting started in Orange County is easier than you might think. Whether you're ready to open your home full-time, offer respite care for a few weekends a month, or simply learn more about what fostering involves, there's a place for you.
The process typically begins with an informational orientation, followed by training, a home study, and certification—and you'll have support and guidance every step of the way. But fostering isn't the only way to help. You can volunteer as a mentor or tutor, donate clothing, school supplies, or essentials, become a court-appointed advocate, or support local foster families and agencies through your time and resources. No matter how much you have to give, your involvement helps build a stronger, more caring community for the children and families who need it most.
How long does the certification process take?
While the timeline varies based on your personal availability and motivation, most families typically complete the certification process within three to five months.
What is a home study?
A home study prepares you for fostering or adoption through in-person interviews covering your family history, relationships, and parenting style. You will provide necessary documentation, including background checks, and medical records. It will also include an inspection of your home to prioritize a child’s safety.
Can I become a foster parent and still maintain a full-time job?
Yes, many foster parents are employed full-time. While you will need to arrange for childcare, there are programs available to assist with these specific costs.
Do I need to own my own home?
No, home ownership is not required. Renters in houses or apartments are welcome as long as there is sufficient space for children.
How many children can I take in, and can they share a room with my child?
Generally, the standard is two children per room, though up to four may share a space to keep large sibling groups together. Biological and foster children may share a room provided specific guidelines are met.
Do I have a say in the type and age of the children I take? Will I get to meet them before placement?
Absolutely. You will create a placement profile regarding age, sex, medical needs, and behaviors. You will be notified of matches and are encouraged to participate in pre-placement visits for all children except newborns. The final decision to accept a placement always rests with you.
Is there financial assistance to help pay for the child's care?
Foster parents receive monthly stipends to help cover the costs of food, clothing, toys, and supervision. The amount is determined by the child's specific needs, starting at $1400 in Orange County. Furthermore, every child in care is provided with comprehensive medical and dental coverage at no cost.
Can I foster without a long-term commitment and adopting?
Fostering provides a stable home for children who are temporarily unable to live with their biological families. The primary goal is reunification, supporting families as they improve their situations. While adoption is sometimes a possibility, it is not the only outcome; many children return to their families or are placed with kin. Fostering does not require a commitment to adoption.
Right now, children across the country are waiting for a safe home, a steady presence, and someone who will simply show up for them. Choosing to foster, or to support a child in the system in any way, is among the most sacrificial, loving, and life-affirming things a person can do. It asks much of you, but it gives a child something they may have never had: the belief that they matter.
Whether you're fostering, thinking about it, or just want to help, these resources can point you in the right direction.
The Reel Hope Project / thereelhopeproject.org
Lifeline Children’s Services / lifelinechild.org/adoption
Adopt out of OC foster care / oc4kids.com/foster-adoption
Advantage / advantageffa.com
Olive Crest / olivecrest.org
Camp Alendale / campalandale.org/getinvolved
Royal Family Kids Camp / forthechildren.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County / (714) 544-7773 / ocbigs.org
Court Appointed Special Advocates / (714) 619-5155 / casaoc.org
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
Teen Leadership Foundation / (949) 899-8100 / teenleadershipfoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
Hearts in Motion Program (SSA) / (888) 871-5437 / oc4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
The Raise Foundation / (714) 884-3421 / theraisefoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
Heart Gallery Orange County (SSA) / oc4kids.com
Heart & Home - The Closet / heartandhome4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
Olive Crest - Safe Families / (714) 543-5437 / olivecrest.org
Teen Leadership Foundation / (949) 899-8100 / teenleadershipfoundation.org
The Wild & Whimsy Foundation / wildandwhimsyfoundation.org
The Riverbank Organization / rvbk.org
Project Foster Suitcases / danapointwomensclub.org
Heart & Home - The Closet / heartandhome4kids.com
Orangewood Foundation / (714) 619-0200 / orangewoodfoundation.org
What is Orangewood? OCFC is a 24-hour, emergency shelter facility, in need of caring volunteers willing to create positive connections with children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Email: ocfcvolunteers@ssa.ocgov.com or call (714) 935-7584
Through partnerships with churches in Orange County, RFKC provides a 5-day summer camp experience where foster youth can cultivate healthy connections, establish trust, and begin their journey toward healing. RFKC is dedicated to the belief that every child deserves a life filled with safety, hope, and unconditional love.
In Orange County, many children in foster care are placed with relatives. This is called a kinship placement. The Riverbank Organization steps in to help all foster and kinship resource parents have what they need to care for the children from car seats and cribs to birthday presents and bikes! Host a donation drive for Riverbank to help them continue to provide radical generosity.
The annual Back to School Bash is an EPIC collaborative event where kids who have been impacted by foster care come from all over Orange County to collect premium backpacks and school supplies. Along with receiving free supplies, food, haircuts, and participating in activities (with lots of fun prizes!!), the youth who attend are connected to local resources that will ensure they step into a new school year with dignity, confidence, support and style!
The Wild Hearts Academy is an Equine Assisted Learning & Wellness Initiative developed to harness the healing power of horses to address the mental health disparity with children who have been impacted by foster care. The program offers an incredible alternative to traditional therapy and is provided to the children at no cost to the foster family.
The financial literacy program is specifically tailored for teens and young adults aging out of the foster care system. This initiative holds immense potential to F.L.I.P the narrative of homelessness, incarceration, and other prevalent outcomes that often result from growing up in foster care. This program aims to equip teens and young adults with essential financial knowledge, skills, and resources that can empower them to build a strong foundation for a stable and prosperous future.
Becoming a foster parent is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference in a child's life, and getting started in Orange County is easier than you might think. Whether you're ready to open your home full-time, offer respite care for a few weekends a month, or simply learn more about what fostering involves, there's a place for you.
The process typically begins with an informational orientation, followed by training, a home study, and certification—and you'll have support and guidance every step of the way. But fostering isn't the only way to help. You can volunteer as a mentor or tutor, donate clothing, school supplies, or essentials, become a court-appointed advocate, or support local foster families and agencies through your time and resources. No matter how much you have to give, your involvement helps build a stronger, more caring community for the children and families who need it most.
How long does the certification process take?
While the timeline varies based on your personal availability and motivation, most families typically complete the certification process within three to five months.
What is a home study?
A home study prepares you for fostering or adoption through in-person interviews covering your family history, relationships, and parenting style. You will provide necessary documentation, including background checks, and medical records. It will also include an inspection of your home to prioritize a child’s safety.
Can I become a foster parent and still maintain a full-time job?
Yes, many foster parents are employed full-time. While you will need to arrange for childcare, there are programs available to assist with these specific costs.
Do I need to own my own home?
No, home ownership is not required. Renters in houses or apartments are welcome as long as there is sufficient space for children.
How many children can I take in, and can they share a room with my child?
Generally, the standard is two children per room, though up to four may share a space to keep large sibling groups together. Biological and foster children may share a room provided specific guidelines are met.
Do I have a say in the type and age of the children I take? Will I get to meet them before placement?
Absolutely. You will create a placement profile regarding age, sex, medical needs, and behaviors. You will be notified of matches and are encouraged to participate in pre-placement visits for all children except newborns. The final decision to accept a placement always rests with you.
Is there financial assistance to help pay for the child's care?
Foster parents receive monthly stipends to help cover the costs of food, clothing, toys, and supervision. The amount is determined by the child's specific needs, starting at $1400 in Orange County. Furthermore, every child in care is provided with comprehensive medical and dental coverage at no cost.
Can I foster without a long-term commitment and adopting?
Fostering provides a stable home for children who are temporarily unable to live with their biological families. The primary goal is reunification, supporting families as they improve their situations. While adoption is sometimes a possibility, it is not the only outcome; many children return to their families or are placed with kin. Fostering does not require a commitment to adoption.