Foster Care and Adoption
The Custer County Department of Human Services is looking for really special people to be foster and adoptive parents. You could be one of them! You don't have to be a perfect parent to become a foster and/or adoptive parent for Colorado's children.
You Can Change a Life Forever
Become a foster or adoptive parent and make a lasting difference in a child's life. We're seeking caring, committed individuals and families to provide safe, loving homes for children in need.
Foster Care
Foster parents provide temporary care for children who cannot safely remain with their birth families. As a foster parent, you'll help children heal, grow, and thrive while working toward reunification or permanency.
Prospective Foster Families
Successful foster families share these qualities:
- Are patient, committed, and caring
- Are teachers, mentors, and learners
- Love a challenge and have a sense of humor
- Are flexible
- Ask for help and support when it's needed
- Enjoy seeing children grow, and thrive, and achieve
- Communicate well
- Provide consistency and structure
Qualifications
Foster parent applicants must be at least 21 years old. Applicants can be single, married, divorced, or widowed. Applicants can own or rent a home, but should have adequate financial resources to maintain that home. Applicants must be able to provide for a child's physical, mental, and emotional development.
The Process
Contact the foster care coordinator in Custer County to set up an appointment. The coordinator will help you learn more and guide you through the process when you are ready. There are several straightforward steps to becoming a foster parent:
- Contact the Custer County Department of Human Services foster care coordinator
- Complete and submit an application and all required documents
- Attend the state-mandated foster parent training class
- Participate in a comprehensive foster family assessment, performed by the Custer County foster care coordinator
To learn more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Foster Care Coordinator Stacey Schoch at 719-783-2371.
Adoption
A child becomes available for adoption when a court has terminated the rights of a child's birth parents, or those rights have been relinquished. Local adoptive parents are trained foster parents for the children of Custer County who have completed the foster care/adoption certification process in order to adopt. It is important to note that once a child is adopted, they are a part of your family permanently and legally.
The Adoption Process
The process of becoming an adoptive parent is similar to the process of becoming a foster parent. Contact the foster care coordinator in the Custer County Department of Human Services to set up a meeting. The coordinator will help you learn more and guide you through the process of certification when you are ready. There are several straightforward steps to becoming a foster-to-adopt parent:
- Contact the Custer County Department of Human Services foster care coordinator
- Complete and submit an application and all required documents
- Attend the state-mandated foster parent training class
- Participate in a comprehensive foster family assessment, performed by the Custer County foster care coordinator
To learn more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Foster Care Coordinator Stacey Schoch at 719-783-2371.
Foster Care Coordinator
Stacey Schoch
Foster Care Coordinator
Phone:
719-783-2371
Email:
stacey.schoch@state.co.us
Hours:
Monday — Thursday
8:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Closed Fridays
Location:
Custer County Courthouse
205 S 6th Street
Westcliffe, CO 81252
Get Started
Ready to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent?
Next Steps:
- Call the Foster Care Coordinator
- Schedule an information meeting
- Begin the application process
Requirements
Age: 21+ years old
Marital Status:
Single, married, divorced or widowed
Housing: Own or rent with adequate space
Financial: A