Foster Care and Adoption in Colorado Springs
SKSF’s Foster Care & Adoption services place children (typical and special needs), into safe, loving, and caring homes. We serve children of all backgrounds including diversity of ethnicities, ages, and situations. Though we serve all, we are distinctively positioned as the “go-to” agency supporting foster children with disabilities due to our integration and access to the full range of SKSF programs and services.
Special Kids Special Families is actively seeking individuals, couples or families who are willing to care for children and teens. We have opportunities for both special needs and typical youth.
The SKSF Difference
- Foster families under the supervision of SKSF, experience an exceptional amount of support and involvement from the staff to ensure the highest level of care possible.
- SKSF maintains high standards and requirements for foster family provider applicants, utilizing best-practice protocols and ongoing evaluations.
- Program staff thoroughly scrutinize applicant backgrounds, experience and suitability of each potential foster family seeking to join the SKSF program.
- SKSF specializes in working with youth with disabilities. Staff are hired for their experience in working with children with disabilities and special needs. We receive ongoing training and work through the lens of this competency.
- As part of our support, we complete home studies at NO COST for our families. This is a valuable benefit SKSF provides as home studies can range from $1000-$3000.
- SKSF welcomes foster and adoptive parents of all gender identities, gender expressions, and family structures. This includes gender-affirming, transgender, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who are committed to providing safe, loving, and supportive homes for children.
SKSF foster families are consistently considered among the very top of the industry and the staff’s due diligence in acceptance of new families has earned the program a reputation as one of the premier child placement services in the area.
The need for foster care parents is great! Thanks to our many foster families for sharing their inspirational stories and experiences with being foster parents!
Foster Care Support Services
SKSF is here to support you and the children through the foster care journey. Every journey is unique, but all families will have access and resources such as:
- Respite care-temporary relief care and supervision of your loved one in your home or in the home of a respite care provider. Respite can range from a few hours, on a one-time basis, overnight or longer.
- Extensive matching process that may include a staff person and/or a provider, this is to ensure that respite is a good experience for you and for your loved one.
- Access to highly trained and experienced team of support members who are there to assist you.
- Availability of local and state resources.
- We offer 24/7 on call services for emergencies that occur outside of typical working hours.
- Free training and certifications including QMAP and CPR/First Aid.
- Community Connector services for children on the CHRP waiver.
- Access to our Donation Closet providing access to essentials such as clothing, shoes, backpacks, and more!
There are many ways to make a difference! Learn more about how to get involved and help kids and adults with special needs.
There are many ways to make a difference! Learn more about how to get involved and help kids and adults with special needs.
Foster to Adopt
Many of our foster families also desire to grow their family through adoption. Our foster-to-adopt services offer you the possibility to adopt foster children who reside in your home. Because SKSF is both a licensed foster care provider and a licensed adoption agency, we are uniquely suited to help you adopt your foster child if adoption becomes part of the child’s plan.
You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent.
- You can be single or married.
- You can own your home or rent.
- You can be all genders, gender expressions or sexual orientations.
- You can be an experienced parent or never had kids.
- It does NOT matter if you are older or young.
Foster Hope 💚 Foster Love ❤️ Foster Colorado’s Kids 💛
We all play a role in strengthening families. Become a foster parent today.
We encourage you to consider the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life as a foster parent by contacting our program and asking questions. When you join us, we will assign you a Home Supervisor to help you navigate your continuing journey of foster parenting. You will receive ongoing support, training, and encouragement from your Home Supervisor.
Foster Care Adoption FAQs
Foster care is the temporary placement of children and youth outside of their own homes. It happens when children’s parents cannot care for them due to abuse, neglect or other family problems.
Individuals or couples who want to help children by offering a stable and loving home environment. There are no restrictions on who can foster based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. Foster and adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, and complete required training. The evaluation process may take several months to ensure we are licensing the right homes for the right kids. Foster parents need to be committed to helping the child develop with the understanding that the long-term goal is to reunify them with their family.
SKSF takes children with all abilities, however we do specialize in taking children with developmental and intellectual abilities.
Yes, fostering children with disabilities often requires additional training, understanding of medical or behavioral needs, and collaboration with support professionals. Special Kids Special Families offer resources and training designed to help families meet these requirements effectively.
Currently, we are looking for individuals and couples that are willing to work with children and youth that often get overlooked. Children with developmental needs, teens, and LGBTQ+ members often fall into this category.
Children end up in foster care primarily due to abuse and neglect perpetrated by family members. However, there are times when a child’s developmental or behavioral issues results in them being placed outside of the home.
The role of a foster parent is to provide a temporary, safe, stable home environment for children who may have experienced abuse and neglect. Foster parents care for and meet the meet the physical, emotional and social needs of children in foster care. They are there to provide children with love, supervision and support, while the intent is to safely reunify children with their families.
Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement to offset the costs of providing food, shelter, clothing and other related expenses. The rate varies and may depend upon the age of the child and the level of care they need. The foster parent is not expected to pay for medical or dental care. These expenses are covered by Medicaid.
Colorado rules allow up to six children or youth in foster care to live in a foster home at one time. There can be no more than ten children, including the foster parents’ biological children, living in the home. Space requirements, ability to transport, and the foster family’s preference are all considered when determining how many children can live in the home.
The time a child spends in foster care is dependent on various factors that are outside of the child’s control. A child or youth may be in foster care for one night, several months, or in some cases, many years. Depending on the situation, the child may be reunited with their family, adopted, or may be emancipated with additional support.
Ideally, placements are made with foster families based upon the compatibility of the child’s needs and the skills, resources, and location of the foster parent. During the licensing process, the agency and the foster parents will determine the type of children they can best serve. SKSF will only place children that meet the criteria outlined during the licensing process.
While contact with the birth family may be limited, SKSF does encourage a positive relationship between both foster parents and birth parents. Sometimes “Icebreaker Meetings” are scheduled at the beginning of placement to allow the foster parents and parents to meet and focus on the needs of the child. Topics may include foods they like or dislike, interests, routines and other important information that will reduce the trauma and help with the transition into the foster home. Contact with the birth family can reduce anxiety and reduce loyalty issues for children in foster care. There are many levels of contact, which may include:
- Sending written information about the child or youth.
- Telephone calls.
- Face-to-face contact.
- Inviting and transporting parents to appointments.
- Coaching on parenting techniques that work for the child.
Foster care and adoption programs in Colorado Springs include placement support, family training, dual licensing options, and ongoing case management. These services help families navigate the foster-to-adopt process while ensuring children receive stable, compassionate care
After a foster placement, families receive ongoing support including case management, referrals to community services, and access to respite care programs. This helps ensure both children and caregivers have access to resources throughout the care journey.
To start the foster care and adoption process, contact our SKSF Recruitment & Licensing specialist. Our Specialist will get you started with an application and next steps. Contact them at 719-964-3111 or email info@sksfcolorado.org. You may also complete our online contact form here: https://sksfcolorado.org/contact-us/.
Our after-school programming includes homework support, life skills practice, creative activities (art, music, storytelling), outdoor and physical play, community outings to Colorado Springs destinations, and participation in our Gardens Grow therapeutic gardening program. Every afternoon is intentionally structured to keep children engaged, supported, and growing.
Support
Special Kids Special Families services are made possible from community support of time, talent and treasure. In order to ensure services remain available and that no one is turned away for the inability to pay, please consider a donation. All self-pay options are competitively priced and 100% of proceeds serve resource-limited individuals and families.
We accept various payments including: private pay insurances, Medicaid, sliding scale self-pay, and all major credit cards.
