We are committed to keeping children with the best choice for care – family connections. 

Learn how to welcome children from your family connections into your home. 

Family Connections To Support A Child 

Kinship Care is a program designed to maintain family connections and help support a child who resides with either a relative or non-relative temporarily or long term. Commonly kinship caregivers are an adult siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, grandparents, a family friend or teacher.

Safe Haven supports the concept of children residing with a relative or non-relative rather than being placed in a foster home or other out-of-home placement. We understand the hardship and challenges that come with such a commitment of providing for a loved one.

To find out if you qualify or to get more information, contact us today.

A joyful family playing with bubbles outdoors.

 FAQs

  • For kinship caregivers, the cost of fostering or adopting is minimal. Safe Haven Community Services covers or waives many expenses like training, licensing, and legal fees. Caregivers also receive a monthly stipend, and financial support is available for additional costs like bedding or safety modifications. 

  • Kinship caregivers receive training, a monthly stipend, caseworker support, respite care, legal assistance, and post-adoption services to ensure a stable and loving home for the child. 

  • To become a kinship caregiver, you must be at least 21, pass background checks, have a safe home, complete training, be in good health, have a strong connection to the child, and agree to follow state laws and comply with all Minimum Standards for a kinship foster or adoptive home. 

  • The verification process for becoming a kinship caregiver typically takes 2 to 4 months, which includes training, background checks, home visits, and the licensing process. The timeline may vary depending on individual or family circumstances. 

    1. Contact Us 

    2. Submit a New Family Application Form and all required personal documents 

    3. Attend a New Family Orientation Meeting 

    4. Submit a Criminal History Checks (i.e. DPS, DFPS  Central Registry, and FBI) 

    5. Complete a Two-week Pre-Services Training Session 

    6. Participate in a home study interview session (including all household members) 

    7. Complete 40 hours observation with a Foster Family Mentor 

What are the steps to verification?

Infographic detailing steps to become a licensed kinship caregiver by Safe Haven. Steps include contacting them, submitting an application, attending orientation, completing criminal history check, attending training sessions, and participating in a home study.

New Family Trainings

Support & Training

Safe Haven Community Services provides foster families with monthly support groups, training, coordinated respite care services, and immediate access to an on-call case manager for after-hours emergencies.

New Family Trainings

For our new families, part of getting licensed is completing pre-service trainings. Look at the New Family Training calendar to see how to register and join.

*Please note that CPR training is available upon request.

New Family Training Calendar