Currently, there are more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States with nearly 30,000 children in foster care in Texas. Buckner is dedicated to recruiting families who will open their hearts and homes to these children until a permanency plan is established.

Buckner foster care ministries (partially funded by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services) help license families in the following types of foster homes:

Foster care

Provide temporary homes that meet a child’s basic developmental needs, including a loving family, nutrition, clothing, a feeling of belonging, safety, socialization, interpersonal skills, care for personal health and hygiene, extra supervision and education.

Respite foster care

Provide relief care for longer than 72 hours to children in placement with other foster families, usually on weekends or during vacation periods.

Substitute foster care

Provide relief care for eight to 72 hours to children in placement with other foster families, typically when the foster families need a short break or have a family emergency.

Kinship foster care

Buckner supports families caring for relatives placed in foster care by providing financial and support services and connections to needed resources.

To help promote a strong, nurturing, family environment for children in foster care, Buckner provides the following support services for qualified foster parents:

• Home study assessment
• Training (up to 50 hours per year)
• Liason with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• Daily per diem
• Counseling
• Case management
• Monthly supervisory visits
• 24-hour on-call support
• Respite care
• Support groups
• Annual family retreat at Camp Buckner

Learn more about the requirements for becoming a licensed Buckner foster family.

The first step in Buckner's foster care process is attending a virtual information meeting.