Foster Parent

Are You Ready to Make a Real Difference?
Become a Foster Parent with the Children's Aid Society of Toronto

The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST) is North America’s largest not-for-profit child welfare agency, funded by the province of Ontario with a legal mandate to keep children and youth, from birth to 17 years of age, safe from abuse and neglect. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and support communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

CAST is seeking caring, committed individuals and families to open their homes and hearts to children and youth who need them most.

We have two foster care opportunities — choose the path that's right for you.

Becoming a Foster Parent

Foster parents provide children and youth with a temporary, supportive, and stable home during a time of need. When children cannot safely remain with their families, foster parents step in to offer everyday care, consistency, and belonging — while CAST works with families toward reunification or another permanent plan.

Foster parents come from all walks of life. You can be single or partnered, with or without children of your own, renting or owning your home. What matters most is your genuine commitment to a child's well-being.

What You'll Do

• Provide a safe, nurturing home environment
• Support a child's daily routines, school, and activities
• Work collaboratively with CAST's foster care team
• Help maintain a child's connections to their family, culture, and community

What CAST Offers

• A daily, non-taxable reimbursement to cover food, clothing, recreation, and personal care
• Coverage of the child's health and dental costs
• An assigned Foster Care Support Worker
• Ongoing training and peer support with fellow foster parents
• 24/7 support

Becoming an Enhanced Foster Parent

The Enhanced Foster Care Program is a specialized opportunity designed for experienced community members and professionals ready to bring their expertise to a more intensive caregiving role. Enhanced foster parents support children and youth with complex needs, including significant behavioural, mental health, or developmental challenges, and work collaboratively with a dedicated CAST team around each child's care.

What You'll Do

• Provide a structured, therapeutic home environment
• Apply professional or lived expertise to support children with complex needs
• Work closely with CAST's interdisciplinary team
• Play a central role in the child's stability and long-term growth

What CAST Offers — In Addition to Standard Foster Parent Supports

• A specialized daily per diem. This amount reflects the complexity of the children placed in your home
• Dedicated support from an experienced Enhanced Foster Care team and additional support where required
• 24/7 support
• Ongoing professional development and training

How to Get Approved?

All prospective foster parents and enhanced foster parents complete the same approval process:

• A SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home study
• The PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) pre-service training (a mandatory 27-hour provincial program)
• Home visits and background checks for all adults in the household

Please note that foster parenting is not employment opportunity. Per-diem payments and reimbursements are provided to support the care of children placed in your home.

Ready to Learn More?

Contact our Foster Care team today to find out which stream is the right fit for you.

📧fostering@torontocas.ca | 📞 416-924-4640 | 🌐 www.torontocas.ca/foster-care