What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a system that provides temporary care for children who are unable to live with their biological parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or having special needs. Children can be removed from their homes (at no fault of their own) due to abuse, abandonment and neglect. When it is a determined that a child needs to be removed from their home, child welfare professionals will first try to identify relatives or non-relatives that have a relationship with the child, but if a caregiver cannot be identified, these children are then placed in a foster home.
Foster caregivers are licensed to temporarily provide a loving, safe, and secure home-like setting for children while their parents are working towards reunification or until another permanent placement is identified.
Who is in Foster Care?
Children of all ages, races and genders, from newborns to teenagers are in foster care. These children have experienced trauma and need someone to care for and support them so they can heal and thrive.
What is the goal of Foster Care?
The goal of foster care is to strengthen our local children and families by providing safe and loving homes to children until they're able to find permanency through reunification, permanent guardianship or adoption. Currently, there is an URGENT need is for quality foster parents who will care for teens, sibling groups and children with special needs.
Are you willing to open your heart and home?
If you're located in Polk, Highlands or Hardee Counties, we'd love to connect with you at 863-519-8900 x 289.
If you're outside of these counties, we'd recommend you connect with your local agency.
Questionnaire: Is Foster Care Right for Me & My Family?
Foster Care Info Nights & Classes
Are you considering opening your heart + home to children in need? Foster Care Info Nights are for anyone and everyone interested in finding out what it takes to become a foster caregiver. They are free and non-committal. Simply come, listen, and ask questions.
Next Foster Care Info Nights:
- Tuesday, July 2nd at 6:30PM - Virtual via Zoom
- Tuesday, July 16th at 6:30PM - AX-Caliber - 204 E Orange St. Unit 102 Lakeland
- Thursday, August 8th at 5:30PM - Sebring Chamber of Commerce - 202 Circle Park Dr. Sebring
To reserve your spot, call 863-519-8900 x289 or fill the form at https://heartlandforchildren.org/become.
Every month we start new 4-Week Foster Care Classes and offer virtual, hybrid and in-person classes. You MUST pre-register, and it is preferred that you have previously attended one of our free Foster Care Info Sessions.
Upcoming Classes:
- 4-Week Hybrid Foster Class - Every Tues/Thurs starting Tuesday, July 16 from 6PM-9PM (classes held virtually and in-person at offices in Bartow)
- 4-Week Hybrid Foster Class - Every Tues/Thurs starting Tuesday, August 20 from 6PM-9PM (classes held virtually and in-person at offices in Bartow)
- 4-Week Virtual Foster Class - Every Saturday starting August 24 from 10AM-3:30PM (classes held virtually via Zoom)
- 4-Week Hybrid Foster Class - Every Tues/Thurs starting Tuesday, September 24 from 6PM-9PM (classes held virtually and in-person at offices in Bartow)
- 4-Week Hybrid Foster Class - Every Tues/Thurs starting Tuesday, October 29 from 6PM-9PM (classes held virtually and in-person at offices in Bartow)
- 4-Week Virtual Foster Class - Every Saturday starting November 2 from 10AM-3:30PM (classes held virtually via Zoom)
- 4-Week Hybrid Foster Class - Every Tues/Thurs starting Tuesday, December 3 from 6PM-9PM (classes held virtually and in-person at offices in Bartow)
To register for one of our upcoming classes, call 863-519-8900 x 289.
Why Foster Care?
As of March 2023, there are approximately 1293 children in out-of-home care in our circuit and 460 of these are placed in a foster (levels 2-5) or group home setting.
- Of these, 109 are in group care home settings.
- 75 of our children are placed in foster homes or group care home settings out of this circuit.
- Of the 109 children in group care settings, 85 of these are teens.
These children need a chance to live in a traditional family setting, play sports and learn how to make plans for college or the career of their choice. For this reason, our goal is to license at least 60 more homes in order to meet the needs of teenagers in our community. We utilize a matching system which tries to match children to a family with similar likes.
Foster Caregivers are the key to unlocking children’s futures and the healing agents in allowing a child to heal from the trauma they have experienced. Every child deserves to live in a traditional family setting and in order to make this a reality, we need more foster homes in all of our communities. Please assist us in sharing our current need for additional quality foster homes for teenagers and siblings in this community.
The Process
1. Call 863-519-8900 x 289 and complete a 10-minute phone interview to determine eligibility.
2. Register for our next Foster Care Info Session. These occur in-person once a month and a virtual option is also available.
3. Sign-Up for one of our 4-Week Foster Care Classes. We have new classes beginning every month with virtual, in-person, weeknight and weekend options to help fit your schedule.
4. Complete classes and turn in homework to your assigned Licensing Counselor. We're proud to share that most of our families are licensed and accepting placements within 30 days of completing class.
Foster Caregiver Requirements
Each foster family is unique with different ages, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs; but they share the goal of providing safe and loving homes to children and teens who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
Our foster caregivers:
- Reside in Polk, Highlands or Hardee Counties (if you're located outside of these counties, we encourage you to find your local agency)
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Can be single, married, in a relationship, divorced, same-sex couple
- Must have stable income (be able to prove income exceeds expenses without support)
- Must have safe and stable housing (can be a renter or homeowner)
- Must pass background screening
To find out if you meet the initial state requirements, contact our Foster Home Licensing Team to complete a quick 10-minute assessment over the phone at 863-519-8900 x 289 or complete the Foster Inquiry Form.
Myths & Facts
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to foster care. Let's get the facts straight, check out our most common Foster Care Myths & Facts.
Success Stories
We have an incredible community of foster families that have opened their hearts and homes to our local children in need. Read some of their success stories.
Share the Need
Share a Video
We have a variety of videos that you can utilize to share the urgent need for foster families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
Share Brochures/Flyers
We can send you brochures, posters and/or flyers to share about foster care.
Share Posts/Announcement Slides
Add one of our foster care slides to your announcements, bulletins, emails or on social media.
Share on Social Media
We are always sharing helpful information, class schedules, and resources on our social media. Follow and share!