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
Why should I foster or adopt?
A foster/adoptive home, whether with a single parent or couple, affords a child the opportunity to develop healthy emotional intimacy, trust, self-esteem and the opportunity to learn valuable life skills. A foster parent’s most important role for the duration of the child’s stay is to connect
emotionally with the child so they may heal. Our families learn to use a trust based curriculum creating a healing and therapeutic environment for families and youth.
Who can be a foster or adoptive parent?
Most people over the age of 25 who pass a criminal background check, successfully complete pre-service training and provide a safe, supportive home.
How do I become a foster, kinship, or adoptive parent?
Prospective foster, adoptive and kinship parents must meet certain requirements including orientation, training, and a home study. The process could take two to six months.
What support do you offer parents?
We understand as a kinship parent, you will need support and training to help you on your journey. Our dedicated team will wrap around your family, offering 24-hour support, extensive training, assistance with respite services, home visits and more.
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)
Contact Us:
You can reach our team at 512.499.0090 or attend a Foster & Adopt orientation by filling out our form here.
