Choosing a child placing agency is an important first step for kinship caregivers to begin the foster parent licensing process. Each agency listed below is highly experienced with kinship placements, and has participated in our collaborative Kinship Family Informational sessions. As you begin looking for a placing agency to guide you through this process, we recommend that you begin by reaching out to one or more of the agencies listed below. 

Agency 

Training

Platforms

Financial

Assistance

Languages Spoken

Trauma-Informed Staff

Risk Assessments

Considered

Additional

Services

Contact

Virtual

English

Post-Adoption Support

Virtual

English

Virtual

English

Spanish

Virtual

English

Virtual

English

Spanish

Virtual

English

Behavioral 

Health, Treatment Foster Care

Referrals for behavioral and post-adopt services

Integrated mental health services

Works directly with Kinship Department

Referral to services

Psychological & Post- permanency (adopt & PMC) services

Additional Information

Agency: Click the logo to access each agency's website for additional information. 

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Training Platforms: Many agencies now offer trainings virtually or in the caregiver's home. Contact the agency for more information regarding which (if any) trainings must be attended in-person.

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Financial Assistance: There are some costs associated with preparing your home for verification. These may include purchasing fire extinguishers or fire escape ladders, gas inspection, CPR/First Aid certification, TB tests, etc. Some agencies cover or provide assistance to help with these costs. Contact the agency to find out what type of financial assistance (if any) is offered. 

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Languages Offered: Agencies may have staff members who speak additional languages or utilize translation services as needed. 

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Trauma-Informed Staff: Children (and adults) who have experienced trauma need compassionate professionals and caregivers who understand how trauma impacts a child's development. Organizations who utilize trauma-informed principles can help families access needed resources to help their children to heal. These resources may include trauma-informed counseling/therapy, parent coaching, in-home crisis intervention, video, books, podcasts, and more. 

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Risk Assessments Considered: Risk assessments may be requested by an agency for an applicant who has a criminal history. These assessments are completed to determine if an applicant may still be eligible for licensure. Assessments may take 2-4 months to be processed. Some agencies consider applicants who will require a risk assessment to be completed, and some agencies do not. Some will consider on a case-by-case basis. 

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Additional Services: Many agencies offer additional programs and services that are useful to the children and families they serve. These may include post-adoption services, behavioral health programs... Contact the agency for more information about the additional services they provide. 

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The CCSS is a group of service providers and community leaders who are working together to to build capacity and improve outcomes for children and families in the Houston-area. This digital list was created through this project to help kinship caregivers access needed resources to guide them in making an informed decision about pursuing the home verification and licensing process.