Keeping Families at the Center of Health Care
NH child placing agencies are licensed to recruit, train and recommend foster families for licensure to the Division for Children, Youth and Families. Foster Families who choose to work with a private agency must adhere to the foster family care licensing rules and additional requirements of the agency.
The following agencies provide foster family care in New Hampshire:
Foster parents are asked to provide a safe, stable, temporary, and caring atmosphere for a child placed in their home. Foster parents become part of a team effort to support the child and implement the plans made for the child. This will involve working with biological parents, courts, DCYF, and other involved agencies. Any New Hampshire resident, aged 21 or older can apply to be a licensed foster parent. Singles and/or couples must have the time and energy to give to a child, complete the application and approval process, meet the rules for foster care and attend an orientation and mandatory training.
The mission of the New Hampshire Foster & Adoptive Parent Association is to support foster and adoptive parents, and remain a consistent strong voice on behalf of all children. The state NH Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (NH FAPA) supports twelve local support groups across the state. Each support group works collaboratively with their DCYF District Office. Local associations meet regularly to connect foster and adoptive parents with peers who are experiencing the unique successes and challenges facing the parents in our community. Many local associations also sponsor frequent family activities, fundraisers, and other special events. These opportunities allow our youth in care to connect with other children, and offer parents a chance to network with other foster and adoptive parents.