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Foster Care

Our Foster Care program provides a safe, supportive, and loving temporary home for children when their parents cannot care for them. We believe in helping every child find stability, connection, and a path to a permanent, nurturing family.

What is Foster Care?

Foster care offers children a temporary living situation, whether with relatives, with licensed foster families, or in group residential settings.

The length of stay varies depending on each family’s situation. For many, it lasts while reunification efforts are underway—typically around one year. Some placements are shorter; others, longer. guidingharbor.org

One of our guiding goals is to ensure that every child grows up in a stable, lifelong family. Secure attachments with caring adults are central to healthy child development.

What Foster Parents Provide

Safety, care, and shelter

Nutritious food

Access to medical and dental services (covered by the State)

Transportation

Emotional support and a stable environment

What Guiding Harbor Offers to Foster Parents

Training and ongoing guidance

Partnership from staff

Financial reimbursement

Download Our Foster Care Handbook

Get all the detailed information you need—policies, licensing, commitments, etc.—in our Foster Care Handbook.
Download Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will a foster child be placed in my home?
Foster children are typically in care for one year while reunification efforts are in progress. Some foster child may be reunited sooner but foster family should plan on providing a home for up to a year.
Yes, you can work and be a foster parent. Foster children can be placed in day care and after school programs as needed. Please consider that foster children can have many appointments to attend such as doctor visits, parenting time and therapy. A good support network is important to help you manage these challenges.
Foster children are temporary wards of the State of Michigan. Reunification with their family of origin is always the first priority in a foster care case. However, if parental rights are terminated, foster parents frequently adopt the children for whom they have been caring. A concurrent permanency plan is always being explored that includes an adoption plan if parental rights are terminated.
Foster children can learn so much from children who are already in the home. Your children can set a good example, be a friend to play with or support the foster child as they enter a new school. Your children will learn about compassion and understanding from your example. Some families chose to maintain the birth order of their family and only take placements who are younger than the children in the home. Other families feel an older foster child would be a wonderful example to their younger children.
You know what is best for your family. Discuss with your licensing worker the age ranges that you feel comfortable with. Other factors to consider are gender, race and types of behaviors. Licensing staff will help you assess what will fit your skills and abilities.
Once you are approved as a licensed foster parent, you will receive placement calls each time that a child matches the criteria that you have been approved for. There is a shortage of foster homes in Michigan so children are often placed quickly.
Children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid which pays for medical, dental and mental health care. Many foster families qualify for reimbursement for the costs of day care. Additionally, there is a monthly stipend that is provided that is calculated based on the age and needs of the child.
In addition to foster care, Guiding Harbor provides Supervised Independent Living services to youth transitioning from foster care to independence; as well as a residential facility for girls in foster care. Donations of clothes, suitcases, housing supplies and baby supplies are always appreciated. You can also donate your time by becoming a mentor or helping out a Foster Care Closet. Contact Guiding Harbor for more information on areas to support foster care.

Not Ready to Foster?

If fostering isn’t right for you right now, there are still meaningful ways to support.
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