Foster with Hope Cottage
Be a lifeline and source of love to a child.
All children need stable, healthy relationships with caring adults to thrive. By becoming a foster parent, you can fill that need for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. Help us respond to the crisis in Texas by offering a safe, nurturing foster home to children in foster care.
Questions about fostering? Contact Jayla Godbolt at (469) 781-5274 or jgodbolt@hopecottage.org.
We’re here to be your guide.
Whether you want to provide foster care for children on a temporary basis, you hope to ultimately adopt, or you want to care for a relative’s child, we can guide you through the process. Our staff will work one-on-one with you on your journey to becoming a licensed foster parent in Texas.
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• Are single or married
• Are 25 years or older
• Are a US citizen (or your spouse is)
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have no criminal history or history of abusing a child
• Have the ability to support a child or children financially
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• Are open to children ages 0-17, or at least a 5-year age range (i.e., birth to 5 years; 12-17 years; etc.)
• Welcome children of all genders and ethnicities
• Welcome sibling groups
• Are physically, emotionally and financially healthy
• Can cope with children’s emotional trauma and behavioral challenges
• Are flexible with the unknown (medical/trauma history, etc.)
• Have a strong desire to help children
Basic requirements to become a foster parent
Becoming a relative or kinship caregiver
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• Daily reimbursement
• Monthly assistance with materials including free baby diapers, wipes and formula
• Support from Hope Cottage in navigating legal aspects of the CPS case
• Support from Hope Cottage with referrals/scheduling for academic, medical, dental and therapeutic services
• Adoption services
• Post-adoption services
• During the licensing process, we may be able to cover the costs of background checks, CPR/First Aid, etc.
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• Are single or married
• Are 21 years or older
• Are a US citizen (or your spouse is)
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have no criminal history or history of abusing a child
• Have sufficient family resources to support your household independent of foster care reimbursement
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• You do not have to be referred by CPS. However, the child must have been placed in the home by a CPS case manager and have an open CPS case.
• Caregivers can be licensed in as little as 2-3 months.
• Training is tailored to meet the needs of the kinship family and may be provided in home or virtually.
How the screening and approval process works
Hope Cottage works with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to find loving families for foster children. Potential foster parents go through the following process that, on average, takes 2-3 months.
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Learn what requirements and criteria will set you up for a successful foster care journey.
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Our staff will work closely with you to guide you through the process.
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This 35-hour training will educate you about how to care for a child in the Texas Foster Care System.
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This comprehensive review of your home environment will be conducted by a Hope Cottage social worker. It includes interviews and observing the prospective parent(s) and any other children or adults, as well as any alternate caregivers like grandparents.
Once these required steps are completed and approved by our staff, you will be on your way to officially becoming a Hope Cottage foster family!
Ready to get started?
Questions about fostering?
Contact Jayla Godbolt
Child and Family Services Specialist
Questions about kinship care?
Contact Jayla Godbolt
Child and Family Services Specialist