Human Services Agency

Foster Care

Providing Safe, Stable, and Supportive Homes for Children in Need

Foster Care provides temporary, nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families. When parents or relatives are unable to provide care, the court may grant temporary custody to Child Protective Services (CPS), who ensures each child’s safety and well-being through appropriate placement.

The Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) partners with foster families to help children heal, grow, and thrive. Foster parents receive ongoing training, resources, and support at every stage of the process.

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How We Support Foster Families and Children 

Safe and Nurturing Homes: Children are placed with families who can provide stability and care during challenging times.

Training and Guidance for Foster Parents: Prospective foster parents receive preparation and education to understand the needs of children in care and feel confident in their role. Training covers trauma-informed care, attachment, grief and loss, home safety, and licensing guidelines. Families also have access to ongoing support and additional training for specific child populations as needed, with guidance from experienced social workers and connections to a network of fellow foster families.

Application, Background Check & Licensing: HSA assists families with submitting applications, completing fingerprints (Live Scan), and obtaining criminal background clearance. A home study contractor visits your home to ensure it is safe and suitable for children, and your licensing worker guides you through final inspections and remaining steps.

Ongoing Casework and Support: Foster families and children benefit from regular check-ins, case management, counseling, and access to community resources. Additional support includes financial and medical assistance, respite care, peer support groups, and guidance from experienced social workers.

Idividualized Care: Each child’s physical, emotional, educational, and developmental needs are supported, with thoughtful matching to families best suited to their circumstances.

Pathways to Permanency: HSA works toward reunification with biological families whenever possible, and supports adoption when returning home is not an option.

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Who Can Foster

Individuals, couples, and families from all backgrounds are welcome to foster. Foster parents all share a common goal of providing safety, stability, and hope for children in need, making a lasting difference in their lives. To learn more about fostering, please watch the Becoming a Foster Parent informational video, which provides a clear overview of the process and helps families make an informed decision before attending an orientation or starting the application process.

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Be The FAM

Every day, children in Washoe County enter foster care, needing safe, stable, and nurturing homes. Through the Be the FAM initiative, our team encourages community members to step forward and provide temporary care, giving children a place to heal and grow while their families work toward reunification or other permanent solutions.

Fostering allows you to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life, offering stability, routine, and care during challenging times. Our team supports you throughout the process, providing training, guidance, and ongoing resources to help both you and the children in your care thrive. Being a foster parent is a journey of compassion, patience, and hope, and every moment matters.

By opening your home and heart, you can help a child feel safe, valued, and loved. Be the FAM means being family in whatever way you can, and every foster parent makes an enduring impact on the lives of children in need.

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