BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

Why foster?

Becoming a foster parent is an opportunity to open your heart and home to a young person during a critical time in their life. Many of these children have experienced trauma, have been subject to unsafe circumstances, or both. By giving a child a place of comfort and safety, you can provide the greatest gift of all: a place to call home.

Who can foster?

At Aspen, we welcome foster parents of all identities, ethnicities, religions and walks of life. Whether you’re single or married, with or without children, outgoing or introverted, you can foster. In fact, having diversity among our foster parents allows us to better match children and youth with a home that’s best for them.

Check out our Fostering FAQ to learn more about the basic eligibility requirements for foster parents in Alberta.

What supports do foster homes receive?

We know that being a parent can have its challenges. That’s why we’re here to support foster families along every step of their journey. All Aspen foster parents receive free, comprehensive training, 24/7 on-call support, and compensation to assist with the costs of caring for a child.

Specific resources and benefits include but are not limited to:

• A tax-free per diem to cover the basic costs of food, shelter, clothing, spending allowance and other incidentals
• An annual recreation allowance
• An annual camp/vacation allowance
• Reimbursed educational expenses
• An initial clothing allowance for children without sufficient belongings
• 24 days of paid relief care per year
• Invitations to special events including our annual Holiday Party and summer get-together
• Access to the Aspen resource library
• Monthly foster parent support meetings

How are children matched with foster homes?

Children and youth are matched with foster homes in collaboration with Aspen and Children’s Services. Children in need of foster care range in age from newborn to adolescent, and are of all ethnicities, religions and gender identities. We work hard to place every child in a home that best fits their individual needs and interests.

Learn more about how children are matched with foster homes and get answers to other frequently asked questions on our Fostering FAQ page.

How does Aspen support children in foster care?

Aspen works closely with its foster homes and case management team to:

• Provide safe, nurturing and supportive environments to help children learn, grow and thrive
• Provide support with permanency planning (i.e. reunification with family, placement with kinship, or transition to adoption or private guardianship)
• Advocate for the needs of both foster families and the child or children in their care
• Provide support managing transitions associated with placement changes
• Build connections and develop relationships between the child, their foster family and the community, including cultural connections and participation in community activities of interest to them

Get answers to your questions

We're here to answer answer all of your questions. Complete the form at the top of this page, or call 403-219-3477 ext. 144.

You'll also want to check out our Fostering FAQ page for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about fostering and becoming a foster parent with Aspen.

View Fostering FAQ

Want to do more?

Learn about current volunteer opportunities or make a donation to help us continue providing vital support services to children and families in Calgary.