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Core Services
Families First
Children and teens belong with their own families whenever possible. KVC works to safely reintegrate hundreds of families each year by providing parenting skills training, therapy and other support.
Caring People Needed
On any given day, KVC Kansas provides out-of-home care for thousands of youth. Relatives, non-related kin like teachers and neighbors, and foster families are all critical to providing temporary care for these children and teens. See how you can make a difference.
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Your Help Matters
There are many large and small ways you can still lend a hand. Regardless of your size of gift, know that each caring touch makes a big difference in the lives of others.
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- About Us
About KVC Kansas
KVC Kansas is a private, nonprofit organization that serves over 15,000 children and adults each year. Our team of professionals provides family strengthening and preventative services, parent training, foster care case management, family reunification services, foster family recruitment and support, adoption, aftercare, outpatient therapy and more.
We envision a world in which every person is safe and connected to a strong family and a healthy community.
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Become a Foster Parent in Kansas
Nearly 6,000 Kansas children and teens in foster care, and you can change a child’s life by becoming a foster parent! Fostering provides a child who has experienced abuse or neglect with a safe, loving environment. On top of this, it gives you the opportunity to show a child the love and care they deserve while growing emotionally, mentally and spiritually as you teach life skills and give support. You will experience joy and may even discover a greater sense of purpose in your life.
Guidelines
The requirements for becoming a foster parent vary from state to state; however, to meet general requirements in Kansas you must:
- Be at least 21 or older
- Be able to meet basic income guidelines
- Be free from any type of assistance including, but not limited to, Section 8 Housing, food stamps, TANF, or Medicaid
- Be able to provide adequate bedroom space that meets local fire codes and have a separate bed for each child
- Have reliable transportation
- Be willing to complete 30 hours of free training in “Model Approach for Partnerships in Parenting” (MAPP Foundation)
- Agree to use non-physical discipline for children
- Be willing for everyone in your household to undergo complete background checks. All licensees will be fingerprinted as a part of the federal Adam Walsh Act
Our website has several resources that can help you get started. Our Frequently Asked Questions page goes over inquiries like “How do I get started?”, and our blog covers a range of a range of helpful topics like Becoming A Foster Parent: Questions About Your First Placement. You can also contact one of our foster parent recruiters if you have any questions or visit our Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care page.
You Can Become a Foster Parent from Home with Virtual Training. Contact Us to Learn More.
About the Training Class
The state of Kansas requires all prospective foster parents and adoptive families to complete the “Model Approach for Partnerships in Parenting” (MAPP Foundation) training classes. This free course, led by certified professionals and experienced foster parents, is comprised of weekly three-hour meetings with some homework assignments. Members of our foster parent training and licensing team will also visit you and your family in your home for a minimum of two home consultations.
The goal of MAPP is to help prospective foster parents gain a better understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for successful foster parenting. The process presents an opportunity for participants to make informed decisions about their willingness and readiness to become foster parents. MAPP will help prospective foster and adoptive parents feel confident in their decision to pursue foster parenting or adoption. Over the course of the training, parents assess their parenting skills, their desire and ability to work as partners with biological parents and service providers toward family reunification, and their ability to meet children’s needs for safety, permanency and wellbeing.
To enroll in MAPP Foundation training classes and to begin your foster parenting or adoption journey, please contact our caring team of Kansas foster parent recruiters!
Final Steps to Becoming Licensed
After the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) receives and approves your licensing forms, they will contact you. Then you will schedule a final health and safety check of your home with KDHE prior to receiving your foster care license. All prospective foster parents are also required to receive training in First Aid and CPR, Medication Administration, and Universal Precautions.
We’ll Support You the Whole Way
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, KVC Kansas is here to guide you every step of the way. We will provide you with:
- Free ongoing training and support 24/7, 365 days/year
- 24-hour phone support
- Health insurance for the child
- Assistance finding local resources
- A fun weekend away at our Resource Family Conference, which provides a fantastic learning experience for parents and children
- Monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs plus assistance with back-to-school supplies and holiday gifts.
Where does KVC Kansas provide foster care services?
We provide foster care case management services in 11 Northeastern Kansas counties. We also train and license foster parents across many Central and Eastern Kansas counties.
Live in Missouri? Learn about KVC Missouri’s foster parent training and licensing program.