Why Be a Foster/Adoptive Parent?

Each year, thousands of children are taken from their homes and placed in foster or adoptive placements. The reasons are numerous, but generally include physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. Many times factors such as drug addiction, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness or mental illness plague biological parents, preventing them from taking adequate care of their children. All of the above tragedies, compounded by the devastation of being separated from parents and family, are overwhelming for the children involved.

Children need nurturing homes where they can be safe, heal and thrive while their parents work things out. They need families willing to make a lifetime commitment if they cannot be reunified with their families of origin. And finally, these children need foster/adoptive parents trained and equipped to deal with the many special conditions that are rooted the tragedies they have lived. If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a foster child, training is provided to assist you. 

To inquire about becoming a foster/adoptive parent, fill out the form on Mission West Virginia's website. 

If you would like to see what foster/adoptive agencies serve your county, you can view the list here.  

If you have specialized medical training or are interested in providing care to children with significant intellectual or developmental disabilities, please inquire to be a Specialized Family Care home through West Virginia University's Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

Completing training for the foster/adoptive care agency you choose it the first step to becoming a foster/adoptive parent.

West Virginia University's PRIDE training is only for relative/kinship caregivers. These caregivers either have a blood tie (relative) or a previous relationship (kinship) with the children they are already caring for in their home.