There are more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States. At CHD, our foster care programs find loving homes for kids here in Western Massachusetts. Many have special needs, all need the support that a stable family can provide.
Connecting Kids With Caring Families
Foster care programs provide a critical safety net for children who are in need of a safe living environment due to being abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families, among other reasons.
In Massachusetts, there are more than 9,600 children currently in foster care. Unfortunately, there are more children in need of homes than there are homes available.
Today, CHD maintains 65 active foster care homes in the Western Massachusetts region.
Every day, we receive referrals from the Department of Children and Families for children who are in need of placement as they’re transitioning out of group housing, being discharged from a hospital, or who are new to the foster care system.
Our caseworkers, home finders, and volunteers work tirelessly to find suitable homes, recruit potential foster parents, train foster parents, and provide 24/7 support to ensure that every child in our foster care program is receiving the care and attention they need.
CHD offers a variety of foster care placement situations, including:
- Short term and long term placements
- Emergency overnight placements
- Placement for children with special medical needs
CHD also provides intensive case management and recreational opportunities for youth.
We train and educate foster parents on a range of topics, including positive parenting, discipline, bullying, lying, psychiatric diagnoses, substance use, and suicide prevention.
Families are fully supported as they help children cope with issues of trauma and abandonment, including 24-hour on-call support. Kids may also receive counseling to help with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
While foster care inevitably comes with challenges, we never forget that foster kids are no different than other kids. They want to make friends, have fun, and just be kids. We throw holiday parties, meet for monthly activities, take field trips, and make time to simply enjoy life.
CHD foster homes throughout Western Massachusetts offer a safe, stable home environment for children to help them find a sense of normalcy as they develop life skills. We routinely offer support groups for families and celebrate major milestones with the youth we serve.
CHD foster homes give children a second chance. Many leave foster care with the skills and confidence to live a full and productive life.