Help Kids

Interested in how you can help kids who need families? We are currently placing children ages 0-18 and are in need of foster and adoptive homes. Learn more here by viewing our foster care information page here.

Watch our videos to learn more about the opportunity to become a foster family!

Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions about Foster Care! If you are interested in adoption in the future, The Marsh can facilitate the home studies now and limit your paperwork later!

Want to know more? There is no obligation! Simply click here to send an email to our foster care department and request additional information!

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Did you know....

The Marsh Foundation provides foster care and adoptive services!

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Worried? Intimidated? Let The Marsh Foundation help make the process as easy as possible for you. Foster Parents are needed to care for youth from age infant to 18. Foster parents can be couples or individuals. Foster Parents receive a minimum of 36 hours of training before children will ever enter their home. They will continue to receive training throughout the time they are licensed. Below are a list of some common questions and concerns that previous inquiring foster parents have shared.

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What is a Home Study?

  • The home study is a process which involves information sharing and gathering for the purpose of determining one's suitability to be licensed and /or approved as a foster or foster-to-adopt family.
  • It is a detailed process which involves all household members. During the home study, all family members will be interviewed by the Licensing Specialist at least once. The prospective foster parents will receive 36 hours of training, and the home will be subjected to a safety audit and fire inspection to ensure it is safe for youth to reside in.
  • Overall the process takes between 3 and 6 months.

What makes me Eligible?

  • You must be at least 21 years old to become a foster parent.
  • You do not have to be married. You can be single, married, or in a relationship.
  • You do not have to earn a certain income, but your income must meet your basic needs.
  • You do not need to own your home. You can rent. You must have your landlord's approval to care for foster youth on their property.
  • You can work outside the home or be a stay at home parent. The youth are able to attend daycare and additional reimbursement can be negotiated to cover the cost.

What about my house?

  • Your hose will need to pass a safety inspection.
  • Foster children do not have to have their own room, but must have their own separate bed.
  • They can also share a room with your biological children.
  • You may put any limitations you wish for the youth coming into your home. You always have the opportunity to say no to a youth if it's not a good fit.

What if I need help?

  • Education support is offered through our 36 hours of training that you take prior to your license as well as ongoing training that is offered on a regular basis after you are licensed.
  • Emotional support is offered through our 24 hours a day emergency on call system. You will be able to reach a support person at all hours of the day for any type of guidance.
  • Financial Support is available in the form of bi-monthly reimbursement. You will receive reimbursement for the care of the child and the level of which you receive will be based on the needs of the child in the home. All children's medical needs are covered as well as dental and optical. Foster parents also receive financial reimbursement for all trainings completed through the foster care process once their final license is approved.

Interested? Have more questions?

Just fill out this form to get more information and to schedule a no-obligation in-home orientation.