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Seneca has three types of foster parents/caregivers

1. Resource Parents
Individuals and families who open their homes to a child, teen or a group of siblings. All Seneca Resource Parents receive our comprehensive training and support throughout their time caring for a youth in foster care. Resource parents receive a stipend to supplement the cost of caring for the youth in their care.

2. Enhanced Resource Caregivers
Individuals and families who care for a child or a sibling set (over the age of ten) for a period of up to six months. These caregivers undergo our most comprehensive training and are provided with access to round the clock staff support while caring for youth who have experienced significant challenges. These caregivers receive an increased stipend to supplement their care and housing needs.

3. Respite Caregivers
Individuals and families who want to support youth in foster care but cannot commit to long-term caregiving. Respite Caregivers step in for resource parents to look after a young person while the resource parent tends to other matters, such as a business trip, caring for a sick family member or just a night out. Respite Caregivers receive the same high-quality training as resource parents but may not need to meet the standard approval requirements.

4. Enhanced Respite Providers
Individuals or parenting duos who are fully-approved resource parents but specialize in providing short-term respite coverage for other resource families. These caregivers live in Seneca-provided housing and commit, to providing a minimum of 15 days of respite to other families each month.

Steps to becoming a Resource (Foster) Parent

Step 1: Attend An Orientation
Seneca hosts personal orientations for interested individuals and/or families and hosts regular orientations in Sonoma, Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. To get started, complete the form here or call 1-877-380-5300.

Step 2. Get Trained
All prospective parents receive specialty training including CPR and First Aid.

Step 3. Health Screenings & Background Check
All prospective parents pass a health screening and a rigorous criminal background check.

Step 4. Home Assessments
Seneca’s team will visit you at home to make sure it is child-safe and that your family dynamics are able to accommodate the need of a young person in foster care.

Step 5. Approval
Once all of the above requirements have been met, you may be approved as a resource parent and begin receiving phone calls about children in need of a home like yours. You'll collaborate with Seneca to make sure the match is right between a child and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can become a Seneca Foster/Resource Parent?

Seneca welcomes individuals who are:

At least 25 years old.
Of any marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity
Renters or homeowners with enough room for at least one foster youth, or are interested in moving into a Seneca home for an Enhanced Foster Caregiver role
Able to pass a health and criminal background screening

What benefits do Foster/Resource parents receive?

Seneca Family of Agencies provides excellent support and compensation to foster/resource parents. You are not alone in caring for Seneca foster children. Seneca offers whatever it takes to help you create stability and healing for foster youth. Some of the benefits we offer include:

Weekly home visits from Seneca behavior specialists and clinicians.
Generous tax-free monthly stipend
24/7 on-call crisis support from Seneca experts
Respite care so you can take a break when needed
Monthly foster/resource parent support meetings for foster/resource parents and their foster children
Ongoing, free training and skills development
Housing and additional stipends are available for specialty programs

What city do I need to live in to be eligible to foster with Seneca?

Seneca Family of Agencies is a statewide agency in California that serves the following areas:

San Francisco Bay Area (all counties)
Central Coast: Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo Counties & surrounding area
Southern California: San Bernardino, Riverside Counties & surrounding area

I work. Can I still become a Foster/Resource parent?

Yes! Many of our Foster/Resource parents work full or part time. Retirees are also welcome to apply to become Foster parents.

Is it necessary to be married to become a Seneca Foster/Resource parent?

It is not necessary to be married in order to be a Foster/Resource parent. Seneca welcomes individuals who are single and/or divorced, in addition to married couples and domestic partners.

Who are the children in Seneca's foster care program?

Seneca works with children in foster care from infancy to 21 years old with a variety of needs and permanency outcomes. Our broad range of services vary across the state and include temporary foster care for children whose families are working towards reunification and adoption services to those children who are unable to return home. Additionally, we provide specialized services to youth who have experienced high levels of trauma and need more intensive supports.

Can I adopt a foster child?

Seneca can facilitate adoptions in the event that a child is not able to reunify with their family of origin. We assess all resource families to the level of adoption from the beginning so that if the need arises, a family is prepared to move towards adoption.

What are the costs of fostering and adoption?

Becoming a foster parent is free. However, you may be required to pay for fingerprinting and CPR certifications. The costs associated with adoption through foster care are typically under $400 and both California and the Federal government offer significant adoption tax credits, which may apply so consult your tax professional if you are interested in learning more. Having a foster child enter your home also generally qualifies a caregiver to take state paid family leave from their employment. Some employers also provide additional paid leave or financial support for foster-adoptive families so check with your employer to learn more.

What kind of training is required to become a Seneca Foster/Resource parent?

Seneca wants all of our foster/resource parents to be well-prepared.

Our “Pre-approval Training" classes for potential resource parents ensures all of our families are prepared to work with any child, especially those caring for children who have experienced significant trauma and/or loss.

What is an Enhanced Resource Caregiver?

Enhanced Resource Caregivers are skilled caregivers who provide round-the-clock therapeutic treatment to a high needs young person. Enhanced Foster Caregivers are well-trained and receive an increased tax-free stipend to provide for the needs of all members of the household. In many cases, they are offered free housing or an additional housing stipend. Oftentimes, Enhanced Foster Caregivers have previous experience working with youth or being in professional caregiver roles, like teachers, nurses and EMT's, though this is not a pre-requisite and extensive training and ongoing supports are provided to support this role. If you feel like you might have the heart to help youth heal, let us know and we can talk more about it.