What is Foster Care?

All children develop and thrive best when they are part of a secure, nurturing family. Wesley House Family Services works with a variety of other social service agencies to support our children and families in Monroe County. Ideally, it is best for all children to remain in the care of their biological parents through to adulthood. However, it is not always possible for a child to remain in the care of his/her birth family. 
 
Foster families care for children who have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. These children will remain in foster care until they are returned to their families or placed in a permanent living situation. The foster care program allows for these children to be cared for in a stable, nurturing home that tailors to the unique needs of each child until that child leaves foster care.

Often, parents who have had their children removed from their home are given a plan to follow. Upon successful completion of this plan, the parents can regain custody of their children. The main goal of foster care is to reunify the child with the family, and the services that are a part of foster care are designed to promote child safety and well-being within a nurturing environment.