Currently, there are more than 400,000 children living in foster homes 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 in foster care 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:
Basic 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.
Therapeutic foster care
Provide care for children who require additional structure, support and significant supervision. Children receiving treatment services may have physical, emotional, developmental or sensory special needs or significant medical needs and may require the services of a professional therapist or medical professional. Learn more about therapeutic foster care here.
Additional requirements for therapeutic foster care:
- Individuals with a passion for bringing healing to children with high structure and high nurture needs.
- At least one parent in the home with a flexible work schedule.
- Aware that families will not receive multiple therapeutic children in the home at a time.
- Able to provide for their own financial needs without relying on foster care reimbursement.
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