foster parent Archives - The Riverside Project

When you step into the world of child welfare, it can feel like learning a new language. Whether you’re a new volunteer, a church partner, a foster parent, or simply someone who wants to understand more, the chances are you’ve come across a sea of letters like DFPS, CPS, PMC, or TBRI® and wondered… what do these even mean?

This guide is a collection of simple, meaningful ways to say, “You’re not alone. We see you. We’re in it with you.”

Whether you’re a neighbor, friend, church, or business, these ideas help create rhythms of care that don’t overwhelm or overstep—but gently remind families that healing happens AS ONE.

“This doesn’t look like what I thought it would.” I hear this statement all the time.

Foster parents, by Texas law, can only use babysitters who are specially trained and certified to care for children in foster care.

As a foster parent, you will have people who love you and people who get you. And sometimes, those who love you the most may get you the least.

It’s our responsibility as foster parents to protect our kids. To protect their bodies, yes. But also to protect their stories.

It’s important to choose a foster care agency wisely as it is their responsibility to ensure that a certain placement is a good fit for the child and foster parents, to provide support during the duration of a placement, and to offer training to the foster parents.

As you consider the possibility of providing a loving home for children in need, there are many steps between learning about the need for foster families and becoming one yourself.

Jesse Booher is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of DePelchin Children’s Center, which provides foster care and adoption services in Texas communities.

It all started with a simple napkin exercise. Chandler James was asked to write his dream on a napkin. Initially, it seemed like a silly exercise but when he was finished his napkin read: creating safe spaces for the next generation.