Before you think “not me”, talk to us about fostering a child.
Single? Don’t own your home? Have a few pets? Planning on having more kids? Whatever is holding you back from making the decision to open your heart and home to a foster youth, Secret Harbor is here to help, offering a full spectrum of support, with over 70 years of experience.
Becoming a foster parent isn't as hard as you think!
You must be 21 years of age, able to pass a criminal background check, and there are some modest income requirements. Each situation is different, however, so if you’re interested, feel free to contact us with any questions. Also, this questionnaire, Is Foster Parenting for You? is a great starting point to see if you can reasonably provide quality care for foster children in your home.
Why license with Secret Harbor?
24-hour support
Foster parents can rely on us for support in any crisis and for advice, any time.
Logistics
Secret Harbor has many Case Aides to help with transportation to appointments, recreation, and family visitations.
Respite
Foster families are guaranteed monthly respite care that the agency helps arrange for them.
Regular Visitation
Our staff visit homes regularly to make sure the placement works for the foster family and for the child.
Mental Health
Skilled mental health services for the youth are available that include counseling and psychiatric care.
Training
We extensive onboarding and ongoing training for licensed foster families, and have an in-house training manager who will offer support along the way.
Compensation
Families receive tax-free compensation to cover the child’s basic care, and we raise community funds to assist with special needs.
Cordination
We work seamlessly with school districts, health care providers and state social workers to ensure youth’s needs are met.
Licensing
Assistance and support during the licensing process, from start to finish .
Are you ready for the toughest job you’ll ever love?
If you’re up for the challenge (and the incredible reward) contact us now by filling out the form below or sending an email to cori.peck@secretharbor.org. You can also call Cori at 360-755-5700 (ext 434) and she can answer any of your questions and help get you started.
Still looking for more information? Check out this great video that highlights some of the differences between licensing with the state or with a private agency: https://wachildrenandfamilies.org/cpa/