Texas Foster Care
Children and teens across Texas need stable, caring foster families. Saint Francis Ministries will help you understand the process, prepare your home, and support you throughout your foster care journey.
A safe place to heal
Foster parents provide more than a place to stay.
Children enter foster care because they cannot safely remain with their families. Many have experienced abuse, neglect, loss, or other forms of trauma. A foster parent provides consistency, patience, and everyday care while a child’s family works toward a safe and lasting future.
Children in care range from infants to young adults, though many are school-aged. There is an especially strong need for families willing to care for sibling groups, teenagers, and children with additional needs.
- Provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
- Support a child’s emotional, educational, and medical needs.
- Work with birth families, case managers, schools, and other professionals.
Take the first step
Start with the team that serves your community.
Select your area below. After you submit the inquiry form, a member of the Saint Francis Ministries foster care team will contact you to answer questions and explain the next steps.
West Texas
Lubbock and Amarillo Areas
Connect with our West Texas foster care team to learn about fostering in the Lubbock, Amarillo, and surrounding communities.
- Complete the secure interest form
- Talk with a local team member
- Learn about orientation and training
Questions? Call 844-238-8675.
Central Texas
Waco Area
Connect with our Central Texas foster care team to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Waco and surrounding communities.
- Complete the secure interest form
- Talk with a local team member
- Learn about orientation and training
Questions? Call 833-883-2921.
Virtual Information Session
Want to Learn More Before Getting Started?
Join a virtual foster care information session to learn what it takes to become a foster parent, what you can expect throughout the process, and how Saint Francis Ministries will support you along the way. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether you’re ready to take the next step.
What to expect
How becoming a foster parent works
The exact timing can vary by family and service area, but the process generally includes learning, applying, training, background checks, and a home study.
1
Connect With Our Team
Complete the interest form for your area. A member of our foster care team will contact you, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect.
2
Apply & Complete Training
Complete your foster care application and required pre-service training to prepare for the responsibilities of fostering.
3
Complete Your Home Study
Your family will complete background checks, interviews, references, a home assessment, and other requirements as part of the approval process.
4
Become Licensed & Ready to Foster
Once the requirements are complete and your home is approved, you’ll be ready to welcome a child into your home when an appropriate placement is identified.
Could you foster?
Your family could make a difference.
Foster families come from many backgrounds. You may be single or married, own or rent your home, and already have children or be parenting for the first time.
Applicants generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have sufficient income to meet current household expenses.
- Complete required training and background checks.
- Provide a home that meets applicable safety requirements.
- Be willing to work as part of a professional team.
You are not alone
Support for your fostering journey
Foster parenting can be rewarding and challenging. Our team helps you prepare, navigate questions, and care for the children placed in your home.
Training and preparation
Learn about trauma, behavior, relationships, safety, and the practical responsibilities of foster care.
Ongoing guidance
Work with professionals who can answer questions and help you understand the child welfare process.
Connection and resources
Receive information about available supports, respite, reimbursements, and community resources.
“We just always remember to extend mercy and grace and love to our foster kids.”
Linda Cantu
Saint Francis Foster Parent
Common Questions
Texas foster care FAQs
Foster care is a nurturing and protective system for children from all backgrounds who can’t be with their biological families. Many of these children bear the scars of trauma, having experienced abuse, neglect, or other challenging situations. Our foster care program provides these children with a safe, loving environment where they can begin to heal, trust, and hope again. Our dedicated foster parents play a crucial role in caring for children up to the age of 21, ensuring their emotional, educational, medical, and special behavioral needs are met.
Children in need are placed in the homes of compassionate, state-certified foster parents. These foster parents provide day-to-day care, support, and stability to the children. Our aim is always to work towards the best outcome for each child, which may include reunification with biological families, adoption, or other long-term care solutions. Saint Francis Ministries provides ongoing support and training to foster parents to ensure the best possible care for the children.
To begin the process of becoming a foster parent in Texas, select the interest form for the area where you live: West Texas (Lubbock and Amarillo areas) or Central Texas (Waco area). Once you submit the appropriate form, a member of our foster care team will contact you to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.
The process includes required pre-service training, an application, background checks, a home study, and other requirements for licensure. Once you are licensed and a child is placed in your home, you’ll work closely with case managers and other professionals to support the child’s safety and well-being.
To become a foster parent with Saint Francis Ministries, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, complete training sessions, and demonstrate a supportive and safe home environment. Emotional maturity, financial stability, and a willingness to work cooperatively with our agency and professionals are essential. We are committed to supporting our foster parents every step of the way, providing 24/7 assistance, respite care, tax-free compensation, and more.
The process to become a foster parent in Texas typically takes about six months. This timeline involves completing the necessary training, passing background checks, and inspecting your home to ensure it’s safe and suitable for a foster child. The process may vary slightly depending on your state and individual circumstances.
Foster parents in Texas receive monthly reimbursement to help cover the costs of caring for children placed in their homes, including food, clothing, transportation, and other necessities. The amount varies depending on the child’s needs, the type of placement, and the level of care and services required. Foster-care reimbursements are generally not considered taxable income for federal income-tax purposes when they meet applicable IRS requirements.
Texas is transitioning to the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) system, which focuses on providing services and support based on each child’s individual needs. Under T3C, reimbursement is connected to the child’s service package and level of care rather than being based solely on one standard monthly rate. The amount a foster family receives may therefore vary based on the child’s needs, placement, and the child-placing agency. Foster parents should check with their licensing or child-placing agency for the specific reimbursement amount applicable to their placement.
For the most current information, foster parents and prospective foster parents can review the Texas DFPS T3C information and the current T3C foster-care rates.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
DFPS protects the unprotected – children, elderly, and people with disabilities – from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.