How to Choose a Foster Care Agency in Wisconsin

Choosing the Right Foster Care Agency in Wisconsin

Becoming a foster parent starts with one simple step: asking questions.

And one of the most important questions is this:
Who is going to support you once a child is placed in your home?

Because that answer will shape your entire experience.

What to Consider Before Becoming a Foster Parent

If you’re thinking about becoming a Wisconsin foster parent, one of the first steps is understanding what kind of fostering is the right fit for your home.

Every foster family is different, and the children in care have a wide range of needs. Taking time to think through your preferences will help determine the type of placements and the level of support you’ll need throughout your journey.

At CCR, we work with individuals and families living in counties across Wisconsin who want to foster children and teens with higher levels of need, including sibling groups and youth with trauma histories. We rarely need homes for babies and toddlers, unless they are part of sibling groups.

The Process Should Feel Clear, Not Complicated

Getting a foster care license in Wisconsin includes some core steps: background checks, home visits, references, training, and paperwork.

At CCR, most families complete the licensing process in about four months.

It’s not supposed to feel overwhelming. You should feel guided, prepared, and supported from the very beginning. If communication is slow or unclear early on, that usually doesn’t improve later.

When you contact CCR, your first conversation will be with Jane. She’ll put you at ease, answer your questions, and walk you through things you may not even know to ask.

boy with dog

Her goal is simple: to help you understand what fostering could look like for you and your family.

What Makes CCR Different

CCR is a treatment-level foster care agency. That means support isn’t occasional, it’s consistent and built in.

When you foster with CCR, you can expect:

This level of support allows foster parents to stay committed, and helps children stay in one home where they can begin to heal.

Support Is Not Optional

Foster parenting is challenging. There’s no way around that.

Without consistent support, it becomes overwhelming. Placements disrupt. Kids move. Trauma builds.

That’s why CCR is structured the way it is.

We don’t step in occasionally, we stay involved, every week, sometimes every day, because that’s what it takes.

What It Feels Like to Foster With CCR

You should never feel like you’re doing this alone.

At CCR, you’re part of a team that shows up, follows through, and stays consistent, for you and for the kids in your home.

Because when foster parents feel supported, they keep going. And when they keep going, kids have the chance to stay, stabilize, and heal.

Take the First Step

If you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent, start by having a conversation with Jane.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need the right support behind you from step one.

Learn more about fostering with CCR by exploring our website.

Or call and talk with Jane directly, she’ll answer your questions, and walk you through it, no pressure.

 

10 Year Old in Wisconsin Foster Care Again

Abitgail has spent most of her life in Wisconsin foster care. This is her third time being removed from the home. She is a sweet 10-year-old with significant trauma. She is funny and silly, and enjoys school and being around other children. Following is some of the information we received about Abigail. 

Kids in Wisconsin foster care struggle with trauma histories. 

Abigail is in fourth grade, has an IEP, and has speech delays. Teachers describe Abigail as outgoing, talkative, and engaging. She enjoys painting her nails, dancing, and singing. Abigail is diagnosed with ODD, PTSD, and ADHD. She takes two prescription medications for her mental health needs.

She has a long history of depression, and it can creep up on her. She can be charming but triggers easily without warning. On the other hand, she is curious, helpful, and aims to please.

Why kids return to foster care.

In early January, the Child Protective Services Support Program received a neglect report. The reporter learned that Abigail and two other children lived in the home with their mother and her boyfriend. An officer was dispatched to the house. Upon arrival, it was reported that Abigail opened the door and was crying. When asked why she was crying, she said she did not want to tell the officer. The officer overheard a younger child stating that Abigail would get in trouble for answering the door.

It was then determined that Abigail was caring for her siblings, ages 4 and 1. Abigail reported her mother was at work. 

Upon a search of the home, marijuana was found throughout the house. In addition, heroin was found in the mother's bedroom. All the drugs found in the home were noted to be within reach of the children.

Foster parents and kids in care need 24/7 support.

Abigail had a difficult transition after being removed again from her mother and was running away from school and being disruptive in the classroom. She has been with her present foster family for three weeks, and they have requested removal due to heightened behaviors. Many of these behaviors are due to the need for one-on-one attention, which the current foster family struggles to provide due to having two young children in the home.  

Abigail recently stayed with a respite provider and did well over both weekends. She was the only child in the home and received much-needed one-on-one attention. The respite provider praised Abigail and reported that she was a very sweet girl.

Much of her anxiety stems from the thought of going back home and having to care for her siblings. She must be reminded to be a kid and let the adults worry about adult things. This is difficult for her.

CCR foster care supports foster parents and kids like Abigail.

A foster home with no other children in the house is desired. Additionally, Abigail will do best in a home with a parent available when she is not in school to meet her elevated needs.

She has been in the care of many adults and has had several hospital and shelter stays. In 2022 and 2023, Abigail was admitted to a behavioral hospital. She was released to her mother after both discharges. 

Abigail's mother and her boyfriend are criminally charged with child neglect. Mom is released on bond, and the boyfriend remains in custody due to a probation hold. Both deny any knowledge of the drugs in the home. A relative has placement of the two younger siblings. 

Sadly, CCR did not have an available home at the time of referral that could meet Abigails heightened needs. The referring county continued their search.

If you are exploring becoming a foster parent, remember that ALL foster care kids have some level of trauma. Although Abigail's trauma is significant, other kids may display different behaviors and emotions at differing levels.

CCR foster parents are successfully helping kids heal from trauma. We see a lot of growth and healing with kids in our homes. If you want to learn more about the kids and how to become a foster parent we would love to connect with you.

Names and identifying information have been change for privacy protection. This child is no longer in need of placement.

What Wisconsin Foster Parents Should Expect

Why Parenting Foster Children Is Different – And Why That Matters

If you’re considering becoming a Wisconsin foster parent, you might imagine that parenting a foster child is much like parenting any other child, just with a bit more patience and lots of compassion. That's partly true. But it's critical to understand the many differences and how foster parenting often requires an entirely different mindset.

It isn’t just about providing a loving home; it’s about helping a child heal.

Wisconsin Foster Kids Have a Different Starting Point

Children in care with CCR have experienced early trauma, severe neglect, and/or abuse. They haven't had consistent, attuned caregiving that builds a child’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.

As a result, foster children often present as younger than their age, especially emotionally. For instance, a ten-year-old may seem like a six-year-old in terms of emotional regulation, or a teen may struggle with trust and boundaries in ways that seem more appropriate for a much younger child.

That’s not immaturity. That's not a kid being difficult. That’s survival.

Understanding Foster Kids - Development Through Attachment

Think for a moment about how babies learn to understand themselves and the world. A newborn doesn't know the difference between hunger, tiredness, or discomfort. All it knows is that something feels wrong. So, it cries.

In a healthy situation, a caregiver responds — checks the diaper, offers a bottle, gives a cuddle, and wraps the baby in a blanket. Over time, the baby begins to associate that uncomfortable feeling with the relief that comes from a responsive adult. This cycle, repeated thousands of times, teaches the child:

This is the foundation of secure attachment and emotional development.

When That Foundation Is Missing

Now, imagine a child whose cries were met with yelling. Or were completely ignored. Or maybe sometimes helped, but other times they waited and waited for someone to come. Perhaps no one came at all. Or maybe another child — a sibling — tried to meet their needs, doing their best, but missing the mark.

This child learns a very different lesson:

These children often live in a state of heightened alert. They may seem overly independent, always trying to control situations or keep others at arm’s length — because in their experience, adults aren’t safe. They may resist comfort, struggle with transitions, or act out in confusing ways.

This isn't “bad behavior.” This is survival behavior.

Therapeutic Parenting: A Different Approach

Therapeutic parenting is about seeing beyond the behavior to the need underneath. It means responding not with consequences or punishment, but with connection, structure, and predictability — again and again and again.

It means recognizing that many foster children start from a very different place than their peers. Two children may be the same age, but their inner worlds — their expectations of others, their sense of safety — may be worlds apart.

As a foster parent, you are helping that child rewrite their internal story:

But it takes time. And it takes a lot of repetition. Sometimes, children will test your consistency, not because they’re being difficult, but because they need to see if you’ll still be there when things get hard. They will test you and push buttons to get a reaction to gauge your commitment.

It’s Not Easy, But It’s Worth It

Foster parenting isn’t just about offering a child a loving home. Sure that's part of it. More importantly, it’s about providing them a new model of what it means to be cared for — what it means to be safe. You are helping a child who may never have known what a genuine connection feels like to finally begin to trust again. No matter their age!

And while it may not look like traditional parenting, it is powerful parenting. It’s slow, patient, deeply intentional work. But it can be life-changing — for the child, and for you.  

Thinking about fostering?
Fostering a child or siblings with CCR could be one of the most meaningful journeys you ever embark on. If you're feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it, talk with us. We will guide you and answer any questions you may have.

Most likely, you meet all the requirements to foster a child, you just don't know it. You probably have more patience than you know. And you definitely have a kind heart for fostering or you wouldn't be reading this blog!  

Give yourself time to explore. When you're ready, we will guide you. We always need more foster parents for kids ages 2-18, especially siblings and teens. 

Please contact us to learn more about CCR and the kids needing your help.

How Are Foster Parents Matched with Foster Children

Matching foster children and youth with Wisconsin foster parents is a thoughtful and deliberate process designed to help children heal and foster parents succeed. At CCR, every placement is carefully made and doesn't happen overnight. Planned placements take time to ensure children can heal and families can thrive.

Placing Wisconsin foster children in the best available home possible is the responsibility of Brian Sullivan. Brian has been dedicated to CCR and our foster families for over 26 years. Each child and sibling group referred to CCR is unique, reflecting the diverse needs and trauma levels of the children in foster care. Learn more from Brian:Foster Care Coordinator Standing by Wisconsin Map

What is the process for matching a foster child with a family?

I am the primary contact for our contract counties and agencies that want to refer a child or sibling group for CCR foster care services. When a county agency needs to place a child outside its county due to resource limitations, it contacts me.

My primary responsibility is collecting comprehensive information about the child, including their requirements, history, and trauma histories, to find the most suitable CCR foster home. I carefully assess the pool of available foster parents to make the best possible match based on my understanding of the child's needs and the strengths of our foster parents.

Some things to consider are:

How many kids in Wisconsin foster care are referred to CCR each month?

CCR receives 50-60 referrals monthly from counties and tribes throughout Wisconsin. However, we can only place a small percentage of those children, primarily due to the need for more licensed foster families. Despite my best efforts, which often include other team members, there are many cases in which a suitable match is not found, and the referral is passed back to the referring agency.

The ongoing shortage of Wisconsin foster parents means we only sometimes have a family available to meet the child's needs.

What is the difference between county foster care and treatment level?

The difference between basic county-level foster care and treatment-level foster care lies in the level of service provided to the child and the foster family. For instance, a child in a county foster home may not receive necessary support services. A county worker may visit the house once a month, whereas at CCR, visits are made each week to ensure our foster parents receive much needed support and access to resources. In addition, we have a 24/7 on-call help line for our foster parents. 

What types of kids do CCR Wisconsin foster parents care for?

In recent years, we have noticed an increase in sibling groups displaced from their family homes. Also, finding homes for teenage girls and boys is our biggest challenge. Many new foster parents are hesitant to foster older kids, but our experienced foster parents find older youth less challenging than younger children.

Regardless of the ages and behaviors of the children placed, our foster parents must adhere to strict flexibility requirements. Being available for multiple appointments and interruptions during the week should be expected.

Can foster parents choose the children they foster?

When foster parents are open to different types and ages of kids, they can have unique experiences. While CCR needs homes for kids of all ages, the greatest need is to find foster homes for young sibling groups and teenagers. It's challenging to find one family that can accommodate a sibling group of 3 or 4 kids, both logistically and practically. At the same time, finding homes with flexible schedules to provide necessary supervision to teens is also challenging.

We respect the family's choice and never push them either way. Knowing that the decision is theirs is essential, and I will never make it for them.

Can foster parents meet the children before a placement?

I work closely with the potential family to arrange a pre-placement visit, which typically includes overnight or weekend stays. These visits allow foster parents to meet the child and gather as much information as possible to decide whether to pursue the placement. The visits also aid in the transition process so that the child has some knowledge about the family before joining them.

The foster family always has the option of accepting or declining a child. I strive to provide all available information to help them make the best choice for their family. A placement can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months and often longer. I work closely with the referring agency and county worker during this time to ensure we communicate effectively. 

The support and guidance provided by our team during the decision-making process help instill confidence and security in foster parents. This is a serious process that we do not take lightly. It is important that our families feel they have received all the support they need. Once a placement is made, our commitment to providing 24/7 support starts right away. 

What happens if the match with a foster child does not work out?

We understand that fostering a vulnerable child or sibling group can be complex and challenging. Many foster children come from difficult backgrounds and have heightened behaviors and emotions. These emotional and behavioral challenges require ongoing management and can be challenging for both the child and the foster parents.

Because our Clinical Case Managers are in the home weekly and offer 24/7 phone support, breakdowns and disruptions are often avoided.

Older children are encouraged to speak with their Clinical Case Manager. The CCM, in turn, will typically talk with the youth and the foster parent to understand where the placement is breaking down and implement steps to rebuild these areas. Well-planned meetings seek solutions and strategies for remedying the situation and resolving problems with the placement while considering the child's best interests. A 30-day notice to move the child may be unavoidable if this doesn't work.

Can I adopt my foster children? Children are often adopted by their CCR foster parents. However, the goal is most often reunification. Adoption happens less than 20% of the time.

CCR is committed to improving the outcomes of all the children and youth placed in our care. We have dedicated, compassionate team members with decades of field experience working diligently with our foster parents and county agencies to provide each child with the most suitable, safe home.

If you want to learn more about CCR and becoming a foster parent, please contact us anytime. We are glad to answer your questions and provide more details.

Teen in Wisconsin Foster Care Struggles to Find a Home

David has been in and out of Wisconsin foster care for five years. He is 14 years old. He is currently placed with a cousin struggling to meet his needs. Here is a bit of David's story:

Wisconsin foster parents need a flexible schedule

David, a 14-year-old boy, needs a foster home with at least one parent available or a parent with a highly flexible schedule. His journey has been challenging, having been diagnosed with depression, ODD, and ADHD. While he is not currently on medication, he is open to an assessment, believing it could be beneficial and help him with his emotions.

For David, a foster home with younger children and pets, particularly dogs, would be ideal. He enjoys the company of younger children and finds pets to be naturally calming. A home with these elements would provide a supportive environment for him.

Siblings in foster care are often separated.

David has two sisters who live with their grandmother in. The siblings have phone contact. Next month, there is a planned visit with grandma and sisters. He is excited for the visit and hopes it is not cancelled.

Several months ago, he was moved to live with his cousin for the second time. She is requesting the teen be transferred to a licensed foster home. The cousin is a single woman, working full-time. She is struggling with David's disrespect and unwillingness to follow the rules, which she attributes to their closeness in age. Although he has done well overall, the cousin is unable to provide the proper parenting and supervision that David needs.

Foster kids often struggle in school.

Schoolwork has been a struggle for years. David is in 9th grade and has an IEP. His cousin reports that David wants to attend school and often tries to do the required homework but needs assistance to complete assignments on time.

David has attended multiple schools in the last several years, making it difficult to make friends or build relationships. He likes to give the impression that he is "tough". In addition, the boy has a history of not taking responsibility for his behaviors. Instead, he will deny his involvement and blame others for his behavior.

More Wisconsin foster parents are needed for kids with trauma histories

David's story is not unique. Witness to unhealthy relationships, alcohol abuse, lack of proper schooling, separation from his siblings, and an incarcerated parent all create trauma, which means David presents emotions and behaviors that require consistent parenting, patience, and time to build trusting relationships.

Kids like David can thrive when a foster family can provide stability and structure! We've seen it hundreds of times with our CCR foster families. They begin to heal when the constant moving from home to home stops.

CCR is desperate for more families to become foster parents for kids like David. Learn how to become a foster parent in Wisconsin by calling us today.

*We did not have a foster home available for David, so the referring county continued their search for a home in the right location to meet his needs.

All identifying information are altered to protect the privacy of children.

 

Keeping Older Siblings Together in Foster Care

Amber is a 12-year-old girl who entered foster care due to neglect. She and her older brother, Deonne, 16, live with an aunt who has struggled to meet their needs. Community Care Resources is seeking a home that will accommodate both Amber and Deone.

Many youth in Wisconsin Foster Care are siblings.

Amber is very independent and often looks at her phone or reads in her room. She performs at a satisfactory academic level and has few friends at school. She enjoys playing video games and participates in a sewing club in her free time. If given the choice, she would eat a Big Mac for every meal, with mac and cheese as a close second favorite. She is not shy about expressing her dislike for vegetables.

Like many children in foster care, Amber faces food insecurity; she has been known to steal food, hide food in her room, and eat as a way to comfort herself.

Teens in foster care struggle with mental health challenges.

While Amber's strengths are evident, she also encounters challenges, particularly in managing her anger. Outbursts are common when she feels frustrated and unheard. She is easily upset when things don't go her way and will lash out verbally. She has outbursts daily. The aunt reports that Deone often successfully de-escalates a heightened situation. He has a unique way of supporting Amber.

a girl reading a book begins to yawn while lying on the sofa in the living room of a m SBI 349474047

Amber is aware of her emotional struggles and actively participates in weekly therapy, showing a willingness to grow. Support from her therapist, along with a referral for psychiatry, is a vital part of her journey toward emotional regulation.

Despite some hurdles, Amber performs well in school and has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to support her speech development. Teachers and school staff recognize her potential and work collaboratively to ensure she continues to thrive academically. Moving to a new foster home may require a new school for Amber, so she must have foster parents available to advocate for her while encouraging new relationships with peers.

CCR foster parents require a flexible schedule to meet the needs of kids like Amber.

Keeping siblings together in foster care promotes healing.

Deone recently got his driver's permit but has not had much road experience while living with his aunt. He is known to be shy and reserved at first but will open up when he feels comfortable. He enjoys participating in the school band, Dungeon and Dragons and watching YouTube videos.

Depression is a struggle for Deone. He spends most of his time in his room when at home. He has reportedly been silent and withdrawn for up to 3 days on several occasions. He has refused therapy in the past but recently expressed interest in speaking with a psychiatrist. He struggles with maintaining personal hygiene but has improved while residing with his aunt.

Deone does well in school, although he needs help submitting homework on time. He performs most subjects at or below grade level. He does not have an IEP.

Teen siblings

Kids in foster care visit with their biological family.

The siblings have weekly unsupervised visits with their mother. The visits are generally positive, and the kids seem to enjoy spending time with their mother. Despite their challenges and unstable history, the siblings look forward to the visits.

Foster parents must support the goal of reunification.

A foster family must be able to work with the mother and support the permanency goal of reunification. It is preferred that a foster home accept the placement of both Deone and Amber. A nurturing environment is desired to allow both kids to get on a promising healing path. This is a long-term placement, as their mom has some difficult work ahead of her. She desperately wants to reunite with her children and is working toward that goal.

*CCR did not have a foster home available in the right location to accept Amber and Deone's placement, so the referring county continued its search. We always need more foster homes for kids of all ages. If you want to learn more about becoming a foster parent with CCR, we would love to speak with you.

All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the family.

Can I Adopt from Foster Care?

Foster care is a temporary arrangement, with the goal usually being to reunite the child with their biological family. While there are no guarantees of adopting a foster child through CCR, it does happen. By approaching foster parenting with the right mindset and being open to the challenges and realities it presents, your family may have the opportunity to adopt a child from Wisconsin foster care.

Fostering to adopt requires supporting the reunification goal.

The good news is that adoption from foster care is an option for nearly any person looking to grow their family, including those who are single, married, LGBTQ,  partnered, working, or at home at any stage in life. Many CCR foster families have successfully adopted. For some, it was their goal and they accepted the risks inherent in adopting from foster care. For others, the opportunity to adopt their foster children happened unexpectedly.

CCR foster parents with the desire to adopt a foster child are encouraged to keep reunification at the forefront of their minds. As a qualified CCR foster parent, your role is to support the child in your care and their biological family throughout the reunification process. This is a meaningful opportunity to expand the child’s support network by supporting them and their family however needed.

Being a CCR foster parent means you must always be prepared for the very real possibility that the children you hoped to adopt may be returned to their birth parents or placed with other relatives. That reality can be challenging for foster parents hoping to adopt.

If reunification does not happen, only then, are CCR foster parents considered as an adoptive resource.

Listen to our podcast: Can I adopt from foster care?

Becoming a foster parent with the hope of adoption.

Becoming a foster parent with the hope of adoption is welcomed at CCR. When a child, youth, or siblings are referred to CCR, the permanency plan is known: most often, that goal is reunification. If reunification is not possible, TPR, termination of parental rights, will be pursued. Of course, the goal can change and often does, but it's important to know for purposes of initial placement.

CCR uses a thorough matching process that considers the needs of the child or siblings and the desires, strengths, and experience level of the foster family.

If we know TPR is anticipated or in process, we aim to place the child with a family interested in adoption, otherwise referred to as a “pre-adopt” home, to avoid disrupting the placement at a later date.

In other words, we want to avoid placing a child in a home NOT interested in adoption to avoid having to move the child to a pre-adopt home at a later date.

There is often a dual role for foster parents referred to as “concurrent planning,” meaning that while a plan to reunify children with their biological family is being actively pursued, work is also being done to achieve an alternate permanency plan quickly—often adoption by the foster parents—should the reunification plan not be successful.

Adopting a child from foster care

Adoption from foster care can be joyful, meaningful, and life-changing — but families should also expect complexities and challenges. From the emotional trauma, a child experiences before entering foster care, and the additional traumas of being separated from their family, a child’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health are deeply affected.

Many CCR foster families have successfully adopted. Although the percentages are low, less than 20%, it does happen, and we have witnessed many families grow through adoption.

CCR is a Wisconsin foster care licensing and child placement agency.

While we welcome anyone wishing to grow their family through foster care, CCR does not offer a direct path to adoption. We are a foster care license and placement agency. Thus an adoption will only occur after reunification has been deemed impossible and the process of termination of parental rights has taken place. 

Listen to our podcast: Can I adopt from foster care?

If you are interested in adopting a child that is legally free, we encourage you to explore Adopt Us Kids or contact a local adoption agency. The cost to adopt from Wisconsin foster care is nominal. In most cases there are very few fees.

Growing your family through foster care.

The good news is, adoption has been a beautiful journey for many CCR foster parents, and it can be the same for you, too. We would love to discuss the possibilities and what adopting a foster child may look like for you and your family. Please contact us to discuss becoming a foster parent. 

Teens in Wisconsin Foster Care Feeling Unwanted

Jake is among the dozens of Wisconsin Foster Care teenagers referred to us monthly. He has been in a Wisconsin residential facility for 7 months and is eager to move in with a loving foster family. Jake needs a well-structured environment with adult supervision, consistent expectations, and fair rewards and consequences. 

Teens in Wisconsin foster care struggle to find homes.

Finding a flexible foster home for a teenager like Jake is a challenge. This is partly because many foster parents are afraid of teens and thus wish to help younger children. Also, it can be difficult for working foster parents to provide the necessary supervision and attend appointments. Jake has therapy sessions twice a week, which are essential for his progress and transition back to a family environment. Individual and family therapy will help support his development and adjustment.

Back view portrait of a boy watching tv at home

Wisconsin teens often feel unwanted and out of place.

Jake desperately needs emotional nourishment and support to feel valued and secure. He has endured significant trauma due to his abusive family background, having been exposed to drug use, domestic violence, and physical abuse. He felt adrift amidst the turmoil of his home life and the previous foster homes he lived in before the group home failed to provide the stable environment he needed.

Jake hopes to connect with a friendly couple or single foster parent who won't give up on him. He feels that people judge him quickly because he is an older teen in foster care. Living in a group home has taught him a lot, but he admits that he still needs to work on healthy relationships, managing his anger, and making better decisions.

Jake is eager to acquire new skills that will help him become independent and care for himself once he leaves foster care. He is fearful that he will fail once out of foster care. 

Jake will need the following from a foster family: 

Foster kids often visit with biological family

During visits with his family, Jake quickly becomes annoyed and verbally aggressive. When his older brother intervenes, he can become physically aggressive. Family therapy seems to be helping Jake with his anger and aggression towards family members. His parents struggle with mental health and drug use. Jake reports that his family home was chaotic and overwhelming. Consequently, he would like a foster home that is laid back yet has some structure.

Above all, he hopes to have foster parents who are calm and don't yell too much. He feels that nobody listens to him or cares what he thinks. boy with dog at home backyard

Teens in Wisconsin foster care want a chance to succeed.

Jake is polite, helpful, and considerate of others. He doesn't mind helping with household chores and is eager to learn new things. He acknowledges that he struggles with managing his anger and is open to trying new methods to control it. He enjoys being around family pets and assures his new foster parents that they can count on him to be kind to their animals. Jake wants his new family to give him a chance to prove that he is changing and making progress. 

With structure, patience, and a calm home environment, Jake has enormous potential to heal from his trauma. He is currently receiving mental health services and will need the support of his foster parents to stay on a path of growth and healing.

Youth like Jake are referred to CCR daily. Unfortunately, CCR did not have a foster home in the right location to accommodate Jake. 

Regardless of the county you live in, we encourage you to consider fostering older children. We desperately need homes in all corners of the state. Please contact us to explore how to become a foster parent.

* To protect the identity of all children, real names are never used in any CCR blogs or social media posts.

 

What to Really Expect as a Wisconsin Foster Parent?

Becoming a foster parent is one of the most compassionate and life-changing choices you can make. It’s a meaningful way to offer safety, love, and healing to a child or siblings in need. Being a CCR foster parent is a journey filled with both beauty and challenges, highs and lows. It can be unpredictable and deeply rewarding. Our team is here to walk with you every step of the way.

What to Really Expect as a Foster Parent: The Hard, the Honest, and the Beautiful

Being a foster parent is a journey filled with real challenges, emotional ups and downs, and unexpected moments—both messy and magical.

Setting realistic expectations is important if you’re considering opening your home to a child, youth, or siblings in foster care. Not picture-perfect ones. Not sugar-coated ones. But honest expectations grounded in both the hard truths and the beautiful rewards.

Here’s what you can really expect to experience as a CCR foster parent:

💥 Disruptions While Fostering Are Real

Let’s start with the honest side of things—because being prepared helps you handle them with grace.

✨ The Beauty Will Break Through

Now, for the part that makes all the above worth it—those moments of pure, unfiltered beauty that remind you why you chose this path.

Foster Parenting Is Not Perfect—But It’s Powerful

Foster parenting is both heavy and hopeful. It’s tear-streaked faces and belly laughs. It’s standing your ground and offering grace. It’s rebuilding trust where it was shattered—and finding, over time, that love truly does make a difference.

So no, this isn’t a smooth, glossy journey. But it is one of the most meaningful ways to change a child’s life—and your own.

If you can embrace the chaos alongside the healing, the setbacks alongside the progress, and the heartbreak alongside the hope—you’re exactly the kind of person a child in care needs!

Interested in fostering? Connect with us. Call us. We are always available to help you explore becoming a foster parent and walk with you through all of it.

What Being a Foster Parent Did For My Family

Like most Wisconsin foster parents, I could write a book about my family's experiences fostering. I would dedicate an entire chapter to how fostering affected my biological kids. Our kids were 7 and 9 when we got our foster care license. From our first placement to our last, each foster child was unique, and my kids reacted differently to each one. We shared some wonderful and trying times with the kids that came and went. Foster Children

How will being a foster parent affect your family?

We were a busy family. We ran around town to activities and sports and spent time with extended family on weekends. My husband worked long hours, and I had a part-time job in a shop in town. Our world was happy and full. So why did we feel the urge to foster? It wasn't that something was missing; it was more of a feeling that we needed to share what we had been given. But how would fostering affect our kids' lives? Were we being selfish?

After caring for a few single kids, we fell into a pattern of sibling groups—usually 2 or 3, most under age eight. We enjoyed being a big family. It worked for us. Because many of the kids we cared for had been so neglected, they struggled with a variety of trauma. It took some time for our kids to understand that, but as we watched the foster kids grow, we saw our children changing and growing as well.

The decision to become foster parents was ours, not theirs.

Our son and daughter developed compassion and empathy beyond most kids their age. They started to recognize similarities with most of the kids. Food insecurities, lack of social cues and boundaries, triggers, and heightened emotions for what seemed like small or unimportant things. Their ability to redirect the little ones was impressive. The patience they both had was an example to me and my husband. We saw sides of our kids that may have never developed had we not fostered.

School staff and our close friends took note of our kid's participation in the little kids' lives. Compliments about our two kids became commonplace. We were so proud of them both. All the while, we made sure not to place too much responsibility on our kids. We constantly reminded ourselves they did not choose to foster; we did. In addition, we always let our kids have a vote of sorts in accepting a new placement. It was important they felt heard. Their opinion mattered.

They played with the kids, shared a snack, and read them a story occasionally, but we did not expect it from them. We appreciated them and all they were able to give throughout the years. We made a point to keep our relationships with them as "normal" as possible despite the chaos, appointments, and time constraints. It was challenging, but we found time for them. That was important for all of us.

Trust your children to let you know how they feel about fostering.

As our son and daughter got older, sports became competitive and all-consuming. The oldest was getting his license, and friends became more important. Like most teens, they were demonstrating annoyance with things they used to like and tolerate. Homework was more time-consuming, and both kids desired some privacy.

Along the way, if someone needed a break, we acknowledged it. If one of the kids was struggling after a difficult goodbye, we allowed time for healing. We rarely asked our kids to babysit; in hindsight, we should have taken advantage of respite care more often. A regular break would have been good for all of us. We loved fostering with all our hearts, but things were changing for our kids.

They certainly had favorite kids over the years and favorite sayings that they still reference today. There are also memories of their least favorite, the one they both struggled to like. That's okay, too.  Overall, their memories are happy, and both kids are glad for the unique experience.

We made a promise to ourselves before we got our foster care license.

The key to our fostering success was an agreement between me and my husband before we got our foster license. We promised to be honest with each other if and when we saw things changing for our biological kids. We agreed we would stop fostering when we believed it was at the expense of one or both of our children.

After eight years and 19 foster kids, it was time.

After honest discussions, we agreed to let our license expire. We had two little girls then, and they were to move to a pre-adopt home, so the timing was right. We were at peace with our decision. We were grateful for the opportunities to love kids, help them learn, and feel safe. We cherish the time spent with our children, making other kids' worlds a little bit better. We were happy that we presented foster care to our community in a light they had not known before.

Was fostering all butterflies and rainbows? Of course not. Was it worth it, and would I recommend it to others? Absolutely! My children learned valuable life lessons that most kids would never have the opportunity to learn. They love in new ways, are more compassionate, think of others first, and have great empathy for those hurting.

Remember this about fostering.

Being a foster parent can be for as long or as short as you want it to be. It is your journey, and a good foster agency will support you and your family. I am glad we took the leap when we did, and I'm also grateful we recognized when it was time to stop. We still keep in touch with a few kids, all in their teens and 20s. I encourage anyone thinking of fostering to do it. There will never be a perfect time, but the time spent fostering will be like nothing you've ever done.

Submitted by a retired foster parent and friend of CCR.

 

GET YOUR FOSTER LICENSE IN 100 DAYS! Homes for kids 10-18 are desperately needed.