Compare Bethany programs and learn how you can get involved.

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You feel called to strengthen and support children and families in your community, but where do you begin? At Bethany, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. The summaries below provide a quick glance at our programs with links to learn more. We’re so glad you’re here!

: When you become a foster parent, you give a child and their family the stability and support they need as parents work toward reunification.

Who is served: Children, youth, and teens who have been removed from their homes due to documented safety concerns, such as neglect or abuse

Age range of children: Greatest need is for children ages 8-21, including sibling groups that may include younger children

Contact with the child’s parent(s): When reunification is the case plan, and parent contact is safe, texts or phone calls may be facilitated by the caseworker

Typical time commitment: Average time in care is 18-24 months

Case goal: Reunification

Training provided: Yes

Required license: Yes

Bethany support available: 24/7 phone support from a Bethany caseworker, ongoing training opportunities

: Unaccompanied migrant children need a safe, loving home until they can be reunited with their family.

Who is served: Immigrant children, historically from Central America, who have come to the U.S. without a parent or guardian.

Age range of children: Typically between ages 5-12, but when in family groups can be up to age 17.

Contact with the child’s parent(s): Generally, no. Children are in foster care with us until we can locate a family member or sponsor and safely reunite them. Children are typically able to maintain contact with their parents via phone during their time in foster care.

Typical time commitment: Average length of stay can be anywhere between 21-90 days per placement.

Case goal: Reunification with the child’s sponsor, who is often a family member.

Training provided: Yes

Required license: Yes

Bethany support available: 24/7 phone support from a Bethany caseworker with the additional support of the child’s appointed therapist.

: Refugee and immigrant children have been forcibly displaced from their home countries. When you open your heart and home to these resilient youth as a foster parent, you provide the stability they need to pursue their educational and professional dreams, ultimately creating a successful life in Pennsylvania’s Greater Delaware Valley.

Who is served: Teens who have been forcibly displaced. Most have been orphaned or otherwise separated from their parents and families due to war, violence, trafficking, or persecution of all kinds.

Age range of children: Typically 13-17 years old.

Contact with the child’s parent(s): No

Typical time commitment: Typically from the youth’s arrival until they turn 18-19 and can transition to semi-independent living. At that stage, the youth either continue to live in your home or in an apartment as a semi-independent tenant, benefiting from your guidance and resources.

Case goal: Preparing youth to successfully emancipate at age 21 as a self-sufficient, independent adult living in the U.S.

Training provided: Yes

Required license: Yes

Bethany support available: 24/7 phone support from a Bethany caseworker

: When children and teens in foster care are unable to reunite with their parents, families like yours can give them a loving, permanent home through adoption.

Who is served: Waiting children in foster care who cannot return home to their families.

Age range of children: Greatest need is for children ages 10+, teens, and sibling groups.

Contact with the child’s parent(s): When safe and possible, we encourage adoptive families to keep the child connected with siblings and extended family members.

Typical time commitment: Once matched with a child, the adoption process may take 8-12 months to finalize.

Case goal: Permanency

Training provided: Yes

Required license: Yes. The child will be placed with you as a foster parent until adoption is finalized.

Bethany support available: Post-adoption services

: When parents encounter difficulties caring for themselves or their children, you can help by providing support for their family as they take essential steps toward stability.

Who is served: Families facing a crisis who do not have an adequate support system.

Age range of children: Infants through age 18, however the need is most often for babies and toddlers.

Contact with the child’s parent(s): Yes. Befriending and keeping the child connected with their family is a key role for Safe Families hosts.

Typical time commitment: Short-term, often day-hosting or weekend respite, although some needs are a few weeks or months.

Case goal(s): Keeping children safe during times of crisis; keeping families together and kids out of foster care; establishing relationships with parents who need support.

Training provided: Yes

Required license: No

Bethany support available: 24/7 phone support from a Bethany caseworker with additional help from the Safe Families Circle of Support