Marywood's Foster Care Program

Marywood has touched the lives of more than 5,000 families during our 90-year history in adoption and foster care. Though the needs have changed over the years, the focus remains the same: bringing together waiting children with waiting families.

Today estimates indicate that there are more than 500,000 children in the foster care system and many of these children will simply age out of the system when they reach the age of 18. Without a family, these young adults are often unprepared to live on their own. You could make a difference in the life of one of these children by fostering or adopting a waiting child.

Children of all ages are taken into care by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services when they cannot live either temporarily or permanently with their family of origin.

Children may come into care due to:

•  Physical or Sexual Abuse
•  Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse
•  Physical Neglect
•  Homelessness or Living in Unsanitary Conditions

Temporary foster care may also be needed when a birthmother voluntarily decides that she is not ready to parent her child and adoption has become the plan.

What are the responsibilities of a foster parent?

•  To provide a safe, healthy and nurturing home environment
•  To monitor the need for medical and dental appointments
•  To work with a team of professionals such as therapists, Court Appointed Special Advocates, case workers, etc.
•  To support a child's permancy plan
•  To attend treatment team meetings, court hearings or other meetings on behalf of the child

How does Marywood support our foster families?

•  24 hour access to on-call staff in the event of an emergency
•  Training on parenting children with special physical, emotional and developmental challenges
•  Links to other foster families who can provide support and guidance
•  Identification of community resources, including referrals for prenatal & parenting classes
•  Assistance with respite care
•  Case management services to the foster family and the children in their care

•  Individual and family support
•  Connection to community resources

For more information, please join us at the monthly Adoption/Foster Care Information meetings or contact us at FosterCare@marywood.org.