Foster care offers children safety and security while giving parents the time and opportunity to work on the challenges that led to the child’s involvement with CASSDG.
In most cases, children placed in foster care are reunited with their families once those issues are resolved. In some cases, foster care may lead to permanent plans such as kinship care, legal custody with a relative, or adoption.
Children may need care for only a few days or for a longer period, but in every case, foster caregivers make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Who Can Be a Foster Caregiver?
Foster caregivers come from all walks of life. They may be single, married, or in common-law relationships, with or without children of their own.
We welcome caregivers from diverse cultural, linguistic, and faith backgrounds. A diverse network of foster homes ensures that children can grow up in environments that affirm their identities and reflect their communities.
What matters most is a genuine desire to help children and youth by offering patience, consistency, and understanding.
The Application and Training Process
Becoming a foster caregiver is a rewarding journey of learning and partnership. Every applicant completes a comprehensive approval and training process designed to prepare them for success.
1. Inquire About Fostering
If you’re interested in fostering, fill out our online inquiry form or contact our Foster Care Team. We’ll connect with you to discuss fostering, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps.
2. Initial Home Visit
A CASSDG worker visits your home to meet with you, assess the space, and talk about fostering. Together, we’ll explore your interests, experience, and the type of care you might provide.
3. Submit Required Documents
Applicants are asked to provide documentation, including:
- Police record checks (Vulnerable Sector Screening)
- Child welfare record checks
- Personal and professional references
- Other required safety and identification forms
4. Mutual Decision to Proceed
Once the initial steps are completed, we’ll make a mutual decision about proceeding to the next stage of the process.
5. PRIDE Pre-Service Training
All applicants complete PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) — Ontario’s 27-hour standardized training program for foster, kinship, and adoptive applicants.
PRIDE training helps caregivers understand child development, trauma, attachment, cultural safety, and how to work as part of a child’s care team.
6. SAFE Home Study Process
The Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) home study is Ontario’s standardized assessment for all foster, kinship-in-care, and adoptive applicants.
This process includes a series of interviews and home visits, including a safety inspection. Discussions focus on:
- Family background and motivation for fostering or adopting
- Relationships within the home
- Financial stability
- Parenting experience and support networks
- Cultural awareness and commitment to equity
All household members participate in the process, which typically takes four to six months to complete.
The SAFE home study gives CASSDG a deeper understanding of your family’s strengths and readiness, and provides you with an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through PRIDE training to your own situation.
Once approved, foster caregivers continue to work closely with their assigned worker to develop a personalized learning plan and participate in ongoing training and skill development.
7. Ministry-Required Training
As of July 1, 2023, all foster caregivers in Ontario must also complete additional training, including:
- CPR / First Aid – Level C AED
- Trauma-Informed Care
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Cultural Awareness
- Anti-Black Racism in Child Welfare
These courses strengthen caregivers’ understanding of trauma, cultural humility, and inclusive care practices.