Overview
Many of Alberta’s caregivers begin their journey because someone they know fostered. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation, meaningful connection or gentle nudge to inspire someone to step forward.
Kinship, foster and permanency caregivers often recognize the qualities that can make for excellent foster families in the people around them. That is why word-of-mouth referrals are so important in helping bring new foster caregivers into communities across the province.
Through the Refer-a-Foster Caregiver Program, kinship, foster and permanency caregivers can receive an incentive for each new foster caregiving home they help refer that becomes fully licensed.
Funding
Current kinship and foster caregivers, Supports for Permanency recipients and past foster caregivers in good standing are eligible to receive $1,500 for each successful referral of an individual, couple or family that becomes licensed to provide a foster home for children and youth in need.
Additionally, select non-profit organizations such as faith-based groups, cultural associations or other community groups may also qualify to receive this incentive for each successful referral.
Supporting prospective caregivers
Deciding to become a foster caregiver takes time, and so does the process to become fully licensed, which includes training, meetings and home visits.
Prospective caregivers who complete the application process and become fully licensed foster caregivers will receive $1,500 in 2 payments:
- $450 after completing pre-service training; and
- $1,050 upon becoming a fully licensed foster caregiver.
Non-profit organization eligibility
To qualify for the referral incentive, non-profit organizations must meet the following criteria:
- be a formally incorporated not-for-profit organization in good standing under provincial and/or federal legislation
- be based in Alberta
- focus on family, children and community well-being
- demonstrate strong connections to communities underrepresented in the current foster caregiver pool, including immigrant-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, cultural associations and ethnocultural community groups
- be known to the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women
- not currently receive funding through the Ministry of Children and Family Services to deliver foster care services or foster care recruitment activities
How to apply
Non-profit organizations can fill out the form by following the link below to confirm their eligibility for the Refer-a-Foster Caregiver Program.
If applications meet the eligibility criteria, payment of incentives will occur following the prospective foster caregiving home becoming fully licensed. Non-profit organizations only need to submit one application form to be deemed eligible.
Organizations will be contacted within 10 business days of submitting their application to confirm eligibility.
Spread the word
Download and share the posters below with more information on the Refer-a-Foster Caregiver Program.
- Poster 1 (8.5' X 11')
- Poster 2 (8.5' X 11')
- Poster 3 (8.5' X 11')
- Poster 4 (8.5' X 11')
- Poster 5 (8.5' X 11')
Contact
Kinship and foster caregivers as well as supports for permanency recipients with any questions about the Refer-a-Foster Caregiver Program can contact their practitioner.