Do you have room in your heart and home for a foster child?

[Caroline Town Announcements]

Do you have room in your heart and home for a foster child?

 

ITHACA, N.Y. – Tompkins County is seeking compassionate adults who are willing to open their homes to children in need of temporary care. To help community members learn more about fostering and adoption, the Tompkins County Department of Social Services will host a 10-week foster/adoptive parent training program beginning March 11, 2026.

 

The training uses the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster/Adoptive Parents and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00–9:00 PM at the Tompkins County Public Works Facility, 170 Bostwick Road in Ithaca. Registration is required.

 

Foster care provides temporary, supportive homes for children who cannot safely remain with their birth families. Children in care come from diverse backgrounds and may have a wide range of experiences, strengths, and needs. The Tompkins County Department of Social Services strives to keep children close to their communities whenever possible, including keeping siblings together and supporting teenage parents and their children.

 

Foster parents play a vital role in a child’s life during a difficult time. They work as part of a team with social workers and other professionals to provide stability and support. In some cases, foster parents help children prepare to return home to their families; in others, they may become adoptive parents.

 

The Department of Social Services provides training, ongoing support groups, and financial and medical assistance to help foster families meet children’s needs. Tompkins County currently has 55 foster homes, and additional families are always needed to ensure children can remain in their community.

 

Adults interested in fostering must be at least 21 years old, in good health, financially stable, and able to provide a safe and supportive home environment. Community members who are curious about fostering—even if they are just exploring the idea—are encouraged to learn more.

 

To register for the March 11 training or request additional information, contact the Tompkins County Homefinder at (607) 274-5266 or jacaly...@dfa.state.ny.us.

 

If this training session is not a good fit for your schedule, additional training opportunities will be offered later this year.