When it comes to finding placements for foster siblings, it’s not always easy. As a foster parent, you’ve already done a kind thing by opening your home to a child […]
It feels like there are always changes in the world of foster care. The latest changes are a series of House Bills introduced on July 1st, 2023, that impact the […]
Before going any further, remember this when it comes to parenting your biological children and children experiencing the foster care system– none of it can be entirely fair. Take that […]
May is a big month for City Ministries! It is Foster Care Awareness month, and we are kicking off the month with GiveBIG this week (May 2-3rd)! Child […]
You’ve been waiting for a foster placement for a few months now. The room’s set up and there are a few articles of clothing in the closet for both a […]
“Where did I come from?” you hear your little one ask out of the blue one day. Your mind starts racing. You’re thinking, “He’s only four. Does he even really […]
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! Through our Child Placement Agency 𝟭00+ 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟵 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱. This Giving Tuesday, we are trying to raise $10,000 to place […]
There are a lot of misunderstandings about fostering and what it takes to become licensed. Here are just a few common myths that get resolved, showing why becoming a foster […]
As a newly adoptive parent, you may be asking if it is in the child’s best interest to tell them they were adopted? And if so, how would you even […]
As a foster parent, you know you can never have too many tools in your tool belt. Parenting is hard enough. But being a foster parent? Well, that’s a whole […]
You are a Caucasian family with an American background and culture who recently got licensed as a licensed foster family. You are eagerly waiting for your next placement and are […]
Another negative. Not again. And this was your last viable egg. This pregnancy test result marks the end of a dream you’ve held onto tight. You’ve gone through three rounds […]
Not everyone is called to be a full-time foster parent or to adopt. And that’s okay! There are many other ways you can lend your time, care, and resources to […]
“I want my mommy!” You’re awakened from a dead sleep. You look at the clock. It’s 2 am and this is the fourth night in a row you’ve gotten a […]
One of the final steps of the foster care application process is the home study. Getting ready for the home study may feel overwhelming and intimidating to any eager family […]
It’s on your to-do list. One day you want to help children in foster care. As soon as your life slows down, the kids get a little older, and your […]
Happy May Day! Please join us in celebrating National Foster Care Awareness Month! City Ministries began our foster care journey in September of 2007 when we broke ground on twenty-two […]
The numbers of people attempting suicide, making plans for suicide, and seriously thinking about suicide has been rising the past few years and it is affecting not just adults but […]
Goodbyes are always difficult, especially with a child that has had a long placement in your home. The transition is almost always a mixture of bittersweet moments of letting go […]
Working at a foster care agency, I have had many single people approach me and ask, “Is it a requirement to be married in order to become a foster parent?” […]
Forming an attachment with a child entering your home is crucial to their mental health, ability to thrive, and overall well-being. Coming from backgrounds of trauma, unsafe environments, or unsafe […]
Each year 440,000 kids enter foster care and have been exposed to some form of trauma. “The trauma suffered by these children is not benign. It can result in serious […]
Happy November everyone! We are all one step closer to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Along with ushering in the holidays comes ushering in a plethora of holiday traditions. Every household […]
As we enter the holiday season, especially in this month of November, many people take time to reflect on all the wonderful things they have to be thankful for. With Orphan Sunday approaching in a few short days (November 7th), here at City Ministries […]
The mission of City Ministries is to see foster children cared for in safe, loving, stable, faith-filled families focused on permanence and stability for the children through restoration of their birth and/or extended […]
The arrival of a foster child in your home can be an exciting and anxious time. Here are a few tips to help in welcoming a child into your home. -If possible, try […]
As we enter Fall, it is a time where we slow down from the craziness of summer and jump into the craziness of fall. With sports, school, appointments, and the holidays approaching it’s important […]
The first week after receiving a child in your care can be full of different feelings of loss, fear, stress, and trauma for the child. Expect that on the first […]
Many families hear “home inspection” and suddenly feel the need to clean every nook and cranny of their home, have yummy smelling cookies in the oven when the inspector arrives and ready to present the best version of their […]
So, you recently got licensed as foster parents and are excitedly waiting for your first placement? There are a few helpful things you can do to prepare yourself, your family, and your home while you wait! Participate in trainings you want to grow […]
As a foster parent, accepting a placement into your home can be both an exciting and anxious time. Having information prior to receiving a child in your home is important for a successful placement for both the child in […]
Choosing to become a licensed foster parent is a big decision. It is a decision that will change and impact all areas of your life. There are many choices to […]
As members of the foster care community, it is our job to protect the children in our care. This includes their stories and their history. It is up to the […]
August 17th is National Nonprofit day! As a nonprofit, this year has been a unique one for us. Our mission and heart has always been to meet the needs in […]
Are you aware of what is currently happening in foster care? In light of May being Foster Care Awareness Month, we would like to share some Washington state and City […]
We are living in a unique time and while we are all staying home to stay safe, our team is continuing to work full-time to recruit and license families, provide […]
Do you have a desire to advocate for foster children in the community, but don’t know where to begin? One way you can start advocating for foster children right now […]
When you think of the word “home” what are some thoughts that come to mind? Sitting around the dinner table, laughing, and catching up with your family? Having a comfortable […]
Christmas is right around the corner and planning is already underway for our Annual Children’s Christmas Party! We are excited to make this celebration a fun and special time for […]
Are you a seasoned foster parent who can use an extra dose of encouragement as you advocate day in and day out for vulnerable children placed in your home? Are […]
May is National Foster Care Awareness month. In the United States there are currently 422,000 children in foster care. Approximately 10,000 of those children reside in Washington state alone. That […]
1. ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT Foster families and children receive individualized support and wraparound services for the specific needs of each family and child. 2. CASE MANAGEMENT Case Manager advocates for […]
As a foster parent, there is nothing more important than showing your foster child how loved they are every single day. Love can be expressed in many ways, big and […]
Continuing on from Part One- Expect not to know everything about a child- If you are the first placement of a child just entering the foster care system, often times […]
When a foster child is first placed in your home it’s hard to know what to expect. Every child, situation, and case is different and will bring with it its […]
City Ministries Child Placement Agency is offering FREE training for current and prospective foster parents, caregivers, and social service workers on topics related to trauma, substance abuse, adverse childhood experiences, […]
Becoming a full-time foster family is both a very fulfilling and a challenging endeavor. The demands of foster parents increase substantially as they welcome foster children affected by trauma into […]
Christmas is all about gifts. Every child knows this, even if every adult denies it,because Christmas started out with the greatest gift of all: the birth of our Savior, Jesus […]
During the first year or so of our program we had a fundraiser that involved hand painted tiles. The proceeds from these tiles would fund a new playground for the Rose […]
This week we want to highlight our newest City Ministries CPA staff member: Natasha. She joined our team as a case manager in May and has been working hard providing […]
