You’re in the right place to learn more about serving foster children and families in our area. Topics covered include fostering, mentoring youth aging out of foster care, providing support to a foster family, and other ways to get involved.
For more serve opportunities, spotlights on Outreach ministries and partner organizations supporting vulnerable populations, and prayer needs, please sign up for the Local Outreach newsletter here.
Are you seriously considering becoming a foster parent, or are just getting started on your journey? Join us on April 27th for a frank discussion about the foster care process, including what to expect during the interview and home study, how to answer tough questions without compromising our faith, navigating the meetings and visitations during your time as a foster parent, building solid relationships with the biological parent, and more. We will have time for questions and individual conversations, as well as some helpful resources. Speakers include Chris Seaton, Executive Director, Project Belong, Margaret Hoffer, Director of Don’t Go Alone, Project Belong, and some MBC foster families.
Are you interested in the basics of how you can support foster children and families, including information about foster care, mentoring an aging-out youth, supporting foster families with your church group, and more? If so, watch the recorded session below.
Have an idea about how you would like to get involved? Check below for upcoming trainings. Sign up for the Local Outreach newsletter for information on upcoming dates.
If you are interested in implementing Care Teams in your Church Group, please plan to attend a Care Team Leader Orientation. You will learn more about Care Team structure and equipping your Church Group members to wrap around a vulnerable family.
Next date: Check back for Spring dates
Become a Mentoring adult or family for a young adult who’s aged out of foster care.
Next date: Check back for Spring dates
Support social workers on the front lines.
Next date: Check back for Spring dates
If you already know how you’d like to get involved, here are some links for organizations or county offices that can help. (Inclusion here does not necessarily mean endorsement by MBC.)
(You do not have to foster in the county you live in. )
Alexandria Department of Health and Human Services
(703) 746-5858 | Information Meeting
Arlington County Department of Child and Family Services
(703) 228-1550 | Information Meeting | Click here for more information
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
(703) 324-7500 | Information Meeting | The first step is to fill out the interest form here | Click here for more information
Loudoun County Department of Health and Human Services
(703) 771-5941 | [email protected]
Prince William County Department of Social Services
(703) 792-7500 | Information Meeting
(240) 777-1664 | Families in Montgomery County interested in foster care can contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at [email protected]
The Foster Journey | Whether you are making your way to foster parenting or making your way through it, we’re here to help you navigate. The Foster Journey is designed to be your companion as you consider foster care and prepare to be a great foster parent. With wisdom and humor, it walks you through both the initial decision to become a foster parent and provides a road map through the certification process. This guide is a collection of insights from many who have gone before you and asks critical questions to help you along the way.
Foster Care and the Church | God cares for the vulnerable, which means there’s a place for the Church in caring for those in foster care. Yet, it can be challenging to know where to start. You don’t have to foster to care. Through four sessions of thoughtful teaching and compelling stories, Foster Care and The Church sets the foundation for understanding foster care so that you can meaningfully engage, even if you are not providing foster care yourself. Learn why foster care exists both biblically and systematically, how the Gospel shapes our perspective, and what it means to love our neighbors. Discover your next step in caring for the foster care community.
ReFraming Foster Care: Filtering Your Foster Parenting Journey Through the Lens of the Gospel | ReFraming Foster Care is a collection of reflections on the foster parenting journey designed to help you do just that—find hope—and to remind you that your work is worth it and you are not alone.