Foster Care

How to Apply:

Contact Kristy DeAnda at (970) 400-6849 or email fostercare@weld.gov.

Basic requirements:

• 21 years of age or older
• Citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
• Financially stable (your family’s present needs are consistently met)
• Must be able to pass a background check and home study

Certification Process:

• View the Foster Care Calendar to see upcoming Foster Care Orientations 
• Submit your application
• Complete foster parent training
• Pass the background check
• Complete the home study and home inspection
• Receive certification

Foster Care FAQs

Watch a short video to hear from a real Weld County foster family. They’ll share what it’s like to welcome a child into their home and heart.

Find out how being a foster parent can change a child’s life—and yours too. 

Meet the Troyer Foster Family:

We want every child and teen in Weld County to get the care they need—no matter how big their challenges are—right here in their own community, with a family that understands trauma and how to help.

Therapeutic foster parents help kids stay in their own communities, even when the kids have big challenges or complex needs. These foster parents get 12 extra hours of training so they can better understand and support youth who have been through difficult experiences. They also receive a higher payment to help cover the child’s needs and meet with a support team every two weeks to talk about progress and get help when needed. People who have been foster parents, kinship caregivers, or have similar experience are encouraged to learn more.

The Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) program supports children and young adults, from birth to age 20, who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, very high needs, or serious emotional struggles. This program helps youth who are already in out‑of‑home care or at risk of needing it. CHRP Care Providers are needed for both Child Welfare and non–Child Welfare cases. Providers receive 12 extra hours of special training and a higher payment to help with the youth’s care.
CHRP Providers give a safe, steady home. They help kids learn daily living skills, work with teachers, professionals, and families, and create chances for youth to grow, feel included, and gain independence. People who are patient, caring, and want to make a real difference in a child’s life are encouraged to ask for more information.

Matthew and Yvette's Foster Parent Story

For More Information:

Contact Kristy DeAnda at (970) 400-6849 or email fostercare@weld.gov.

Foster parents give children and teens a safe, caring home while their birth families work through challenges. The goal is to help kids return safely to their families, so foster parents often work with the child’s parents, Weld County Human Services, legal guardians, and other helpers.

As a foster parent, you’ll also:

• Learn about the child’s needs and take part in ongoing training
• Give a safe, stable, and supportive home
• Show positive parenting and help guide the child’s birth family
• Use non-physical discipline (no hitting or spanking)
• Drive the child to appointments

You’re Not Alone When You Foster with Weld County

When you become a foster parent with Weld County, you join a team that’s here to support you every step of the way.

We’ll give you the help, tools, and advice you need—based on what works best for your family. Together, we’ll make sure you can give children and teens in foster care the care and support they need to grow and succeed.

Foster Families receive access to these resources:

• 24/7 on-call staff support
• An individualized treatment team
• Networking and support groups
• Ongoing free training opportunities
• In-home consultations
• Child care
• Respite care
• Annual appreciation/holiday events
• Colorado Medicaid to cover the child
• Clothing allowance
• Mileage reimbursement for appointments
• Monthly maintenance reimbursement for the care of the child (need-based)

Thanks for caring about kids in foster care in Weld County!
See children who are waiting for an adoptive family. If you want to learn more or have questions, the Weld County foster care team is happy to help.

See Weld's Waiting Kids

Foster Youth in Transition Services helps young people ages 10 to 21, including foster youth who are getting ready to live on their own. The program supports kids and teens who are having problems at home or in their community. Sometimes, a judge asks for help through a court order. The goal is to help youth get along better with their families, their communities, and society.

Learn more about Foster Youth in Transition.

The Chafee Program helps young adults learn important life skills to live on their own. We do this through fun workshops, field trips, and one-on-one meetings with a Chafee Youth Case Manager.

Young adults in the program will also set personal goals and work on steps to become more independent.

Weld County is proud to work with Realities For Children, a nonprofit group that helps kids and teens in foster care. Your donation gives emergency help to local youth who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk.

All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of your gift goes directly to Weld County foster care.

 Make a Donation

To make sure your gift goes to our local foster care program, choose "Weld County" in the box that says “My donation is for”.