Foster & Adoptive Parents

What children in foster care need most is safety, consistency, and commitment.

Foster and adoptive parents play a powerful role in helping children heal, grow, and find belonging.

Become a Foster Parent
multiple hands holding a cutout of a house

Open Your Home. Change a Future.

Fostering in Louisiana means stepping into a child’s life during a critical moment. You provide safety and stability while we work toward permanence—whether that means reunification with family or adoption.

Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent

What You Need to Know

If you’re considering foster parenting in Louisiana or adopting from foster care, start here:

Overview of Fostering & Adopting

Learn about roles and responsibilities.

Common Questions

Get answers about timelines, expectations, and support.

Qualifications & Steps

Understand the requirements and certification process.

More Ways to Prepare & Stay Connected

Explore tools and support to help you succeed:

Quiz: Am I Ready to be a Foster or Adoptive Parent?

Support for Every Path

icon-family

Parent or Guardian

DCFS Louisiana provides programs and services to help parents protect their children and build stable, supportive homes.

Parent or Guardian
icon-family

Child or Teen

This page connects you to resources, programs, and people whose job is to support you.

Child or Teen
icon-family

Grandparent or Relative

Your willingness to open your home protects connection, culture, and belonging.

Grandparent or Relative