Be the One

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Boys Town New England is growing its Foster Family Services program so that more kids will have a safe place to live. As a Boys Town Foster Parent, you can make a difference in your community.

As a foster parent, you can make a child feel safe and help them start building happy memories with your family. You will provide the guidance and compassion a child needs to find success in school, relationships, and life.

Boys Town supports you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. You are never in a position where someone will not be available to support you. We provide our Foster Parents with professional training and competitive reimbursement.

• Meet Our Staf​f

  Sandra Tokarski, Recruiter/Trainer/Licenser (RTL)
  Boys Town New England's Foster Family Services, Rhode Island

  Sandra has been working at Boys Town New England for the past four years, this is her second position within the agency as she moved from a consultant role to her current role. Sandra’s passion comes through her vast experience as being a foster parent. “My favorite part of this job is getting to know foster parents and being able to match a youth with a family.” Sandra has a degree in Psychology and is always expanding her knowledge within the Child-Welfare system.

  Kimberly Gagne, Recruiter/Trainer/Licenser (RTL)
  Boys Town New England's Foster Family Services, Massachusetts

  Kimberly obtained a BSN in Nursing from Liberty University. She has fostered and adopted five children out of Massachusetts foster care. Kim has been working as an RTL at Boys Town for the past year and a half, but has been active in foster care recruitment in Massachusetts for the past ten years.

• FAQ

  How long will a foster child live in my home?

  Children live in foster homes for varying lengths of time. Their stay usually depends upon a child's individual situation and needs. Permanency planning (finding a place where a child can live and/or receive treatment on a long-term basis) begins the day a child is admitted into the foster care program. In most cases, foster parents can plan on caring for a child for six to 18 months, and, on occasion, much longer.

  How do I know if I have enough room in my home to temporarily care for a child?

  This is unique to the state regulations. Typically, the space needs to include an appropriate size bed to the youth, dresser, and space for play. A bedroom must have a window, closet, and a door that closes.

  How much income do I need to be a foster parent?

  You must make enough income to meet your own family's needs. You are reimbursed for the costs associated with caring for a foster child.

  What kind of training will I receive?

  You will receive extensive training prior to placement of a child in your home. This involves trainer-led instruction, which includes informational handouts, role-playing activities, and videos. Boys Town also provides ongoing training to increase your knowledge and share new insights on how to help children in your home.

  Why choose Boys Town Foster Family Services^®?

  When you decide to become a Boys Town foster parent, you're making a commitment to improve a child's life—and you'll do it with the support of an organization with 100 years of experience, one steeped in a tradition that began in 1917 with Father Edward J. Flanagan's dream to change the way America cares for children, families, and communities.

  Every Boys Town foster parent must be dedicated to making this dream a reality. Boys Town offers extensive foster-parent training, and our foster parents can count on continuous support and consultation after they've started providing care.

​Ge​t Started

You Could Be the One to Change a Child's Life

A growing number of children are in need of foster care. Dangerous living conditions at home, financial problems, and even the lingering results of natural disasters are only a few reasons why more and more boys and girls across the country need a safe place to live.

Take the first step toward becoming a child's hero. For more information on how you can join Boys Town's Foster Family Services® team, please complete the form below:

• Basic requirements for becoming a Boys Town Foster Parent*:

  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Be able to meet the needs of the child placed in your home
  • Have a valid driver's license and can provide reliable transportation
  • Maintain a working phone with voicemail capability
  • Demonstrate financial stability
  • Be willing to work as part of a professional team
  • Support and encourage the foster child's family relationships
  • Cooperate with Boys Town to meet all licensure regulations
  • Maintain a clean and safe home environment
  • Become CPR/First aid certified
  • Complete Boys Town Model Training
  • MA – Complete MAPP Training
  • RI – Complete TIPPS-MAPP Training

• The Process:

  • Submit Foster Parent Application
    •   Start the ​Rhode Island application​ or the Massachusetts application.​​​
    
  • Participate in a home visit
    
  • Pass background checks
  • Complete Boys Town's Behavioral Model training
  • Complete Rhode Island's trauma-informed training
  • Complete licensing paperwork, including refer​​​ences
  • Complete Home Study​