Be there for them. We’ll be there for you.

Some pretty wonderful children need the help of compassionate foster parents who can provide a safe, loving home to help them on their journey towards healing.

Inquire About Being a Foster Parent 
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The Children’s Shelter works with prospective foster parents to become licensed treatment foster homes.

The Children’s Shelter is always in need of loving, compassionate and supportive foster families for children from birth to 17 years old who have been removed from their birth families due to abuse, abandonment and/or neglect. In Bexar County, the number of children needing help far exceeds the resources available. You can become a safe haven and change their lives.

The Children’s Shelter recruits, trains, and verifies individuals who have the love and compassion to become foster parents/families. We support them throughout the entire process. We provide a full range of support and resources needed for families and children to be successful, including:

  • Free specialized training required to become a licensed foster parent/family
  • 24/7 on-call support with a foster care specialist
  • Mental health services through our Harvey E. Najim Hope Center and Hope Center 2
  • Healthcare services through a partnership with UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing and UT Health San Antonio Wellness 360 clinic

Becoming a foster parent or family is a major commitment. And we are committed to helping you with all appropriate training, supervision and support so that the experience is positive and productive for everyone.

Foster

When you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, complete the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When do you host Virtual Orientation Sessions?

    Below are the dates for our upcoming Virtual Orientation Sessions.

    2026

    Tuesday, January 20 – 6:30–7:30 PM

    Saturday, February 7, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, February 17,  2026 – 6:30-7:30 PM

    Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 6:30-7:30 PM

    Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – 6:30-7:30 PM

    Saturday, May 2, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, May 26, 2026 – 6:30-7:30 PM

    Saturday, June 13, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, June 23, 2026 – 6:30-7:30 PM

    Saturday, July 11, 2026 – 10-11 AM

    Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – 6:30-7:30 pm

    We look forward to connecting and are happy to offer flexible options to fit your schedule.

    In order to receive an invitation to an Orientation Session, please fill out the form below. We will get in touch with you shortly.

  • How can I learn more about fostering/fostering to adopt?

    If you’re interested in learning more about fostering/fostering to adopt, please join us for one of our Virtual Orientation Sessions.

    Please contact our team at fostercareinquiry@chshel.org for more information.

  • How can I start the process to become a foster parent?

    You must first attend a mandatory information session, which is provided twice a month online. If you decide to proceed, you will fill out an application and we will run background checks. If the background check is clear and your application meets the requirements, you will begin the process!

  • How does my health have to be for me to be a foster parent?

    You have to be physically and mentally able to care for children, you will have to provide a physician statement stating this. Everyone in the home will also need a TB test. Please note that these are out of pocket expenses. 

  • What does my home need for me to become a foster parent?

    Once you go through the application process, a specialist will be assigned to you who will guide you through the whole process in order for you to get your home ready.  

  • How much does it cost to be a foster parent?

    There is no cost although there are a couple of things that you do have to pay for out of pocket while getting licensed.  

  • Do I need to complete training?

    You will need to complete training before getting licensed. All training is free of charge. The majority of our training is virtual/online, however some, such as CPR and first aid, must be completed in person at our Woodlawn campus. We provide daytime, evening, and weekend training options.

  • Do I need a car to be a foster parent?

    Yes, you must have reliable transportation as you will be taking a child to all of their appointments.  

  • Do you run background checks?

    Yes, once you start the process, this is the first thing that is done before you can get approved. We need a valid ID & social security card for this. Please note that everyone in the home that is over 14 years old needs a background check and this is an out of pocket cost. 

  • How much room does a child need?

    If a child will be in their own room, they need 80 square feet. If sharing they would need 40 square feet.  

  • Do I have to be financially well off to be a foster parent?

    You have to be able to financially support the needs of a child placed with you without the monthly reimbursement.  

  • How old do I have to be to be a foster parent?

    At least 23 years of age.

  • Do I have to be married to be a foster parent?

    You can be single, married, or partnered. If divorced, we need documentation for this (i.e. divorce decree).

  • Do you license same sex couples?

    Yes, we do!