Support for Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Families in Austin
Bringing a child into your home is a life-changing gift—but it can also be a challenge. SAFE’s experienced, trauma-informed staff provides therapy, parent coaching, home visits, 24/7 on-call support and more to foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Central Texas. Our goal is to create and support lasting placements.
Join an orientation
Need some help? We hold virtual orientations twice per month. For specific dates and to RSVP, please use this form.
What kind of families do we serve?
In addition to traditional foster and adoptive families, we make a point to serve kinship families. It’s becoming more common for extended family members like grandparents and aunts and uncles—or even close family friends—to provide a home for young relatives who can no longer stay with their parents. Kinship placements provide children with an opportunity to live with people they know and trust.
But kinship doesn’t always guarantee an easy transition. For grandparents, it can be hard to care for young children. Work schedules often conflict with the needs of new family members. We can offer resources to support you during this transition and beyond.
SAFE supports all families regardless of race, sexuality, gender or ability.
What foster family and adoption services do we provide?
- Considering foster, kinship, or adoptive placements? We can provide you with information to help you make that choice.
- We offer 24/7 on-call staff support—children have needs beyond the typical 9-5.
- You’re not alone: we can handle home visits and case management services.
- Need activities for your placements? School supplies? We can help.
- Mental health is crucial. We provide therapy for children and families.
- Parenting isn’t always an obvious skill—that’s why we offer coaching.
- Foster families need breaks, too! We can help you find respite—another family to care for your child or children for up to two weeks.
- Central Texas is lucky to have lots of great community resources for families. We’ll help you access them.
Foster, Kinship & Adoption FAQs
¿Por qué debo acoger o adoptar?
Un hogar de acogida/adoptivo, ya sea con un solo progenitor o con una pareja, ofrece al niño la oportunidad de desarrollar una intimidad emocional sana, confianza, autoestima y la oportunidad de aprender valiosas habilidades para la vida. El papel más importante de un padre de acogida durante la estancia del niño es conectar
emocionalmente con el niño para que pueda sanar. Nuestras familias aprenden a utilizar un plan de estudios basado en la confianza creando un entorno sanación y terapéutico para las familias y los jóvenes.
¿Quién puede ser padre de acogida o adoptivo?
Mayores de 25 años que superan una comprobación de antecedentes penales, completan con éxito la formación previa al servicio y ofrecen un hogar seguro y acogedor.
¿Cómo me convierto en padre de acogida, de familia extensa o adoptivo?
Los futuros padres de acogida, adoptivos y familiares deben cumplir ciertos requisitos, como orientación, formación y un estudio del hogar. El proceso puede durar de dos a seis meses.
¿Qué apoyo ofrecen a los padres?
Entendemos que, como padre o madre de familia extensa, necesitará apoyo y formación para ayudarle en su viaje. Nuestro equipo especializado rodeará a su familia, ofreciéndole apoyo las 24 horas del día, formación exhaustiva, asistencia con servicios de relevo, visitas a domicilio y mucho más.
What costs are associated with adoption?
Foster and Adoptive families should expect to pay the following approximate amounts for expenses related to becoming licensed:
- FBI Fingerprinting: $39 – $42 per person over age 14
- CPR and First Aid: $30 per person through CPR Resources
- Health Inspection: $0– $60 (varies by county)
- Fire Inspection: $0 – $150 (varies by county)
- Adoption Attorney: $1200 (for cases that don’t qualify for adoption assistance)
Parents should also expect to pay for whatever modifications are needed to be made to their home in order to meet the minimum standards set by the State of Texas. These costs are incurred by the family and are not reimbursable by The SAFE Alliance.
Financial assistance towards the cost of home licensure is available for kinship families.
Ongoing Foster and Adoptive Home Costs
The following are costs that may be initially incurred by the foster family, but that the monthly Foster Care Reimbursement is meant to alleviate:
- Shelter, Clothing, Food
- Hygiene and supplies, hair care
- Transportation for children in care
- Non-prescription/over-the-counter medications
- Allowance for chores, academic achievement, etc.
- Recreation, entertainment, and family trips
- Dances and dates
- Daycare costs (until state-covered daycare is approved and during lapses in coverage)
School expenses, including:
- Field trips
- Participation in sports
- Extracurricular activities
- Band, choir, pep squad, etc.
- Gym clothes
- School supplies as needed
- School pictures
- Yearbook
- After school care (ages 6 and up)
- Graduation costs (if CPS does not reimburse)
Póngase en contacto con nosotros:
Puede ponerse en contacto con nuestro equipo llamando al 512.499.0090 o asistir a una orientación sobre Acogida y Adopción rellenando nuestro formulario aquí.
