There are many ways to provide homes and stability to youth in care. Because of the different needs of children and families, the term "resource family" is sometimes used to describe:

• Adoptive families, who become permanent families for children through legal adoption.
   
• Foster families, who become licensed to provide temporary care for children. For about 65 percent of the children entering foster care, the plan is reunification with the child's family. For the other about 35 percent, reunification is not a possibility and the child will likely become available for adoption.
   
• Foster-to-adopt families, who become licensed as foster care families but move later into adoption. For many, the opportunity to be a foster parent first offers a great setting to learn and develop a range of parenting skills. Foster parents who adopt often decide to adopt a foster child who is already living in their home. Others will seek to adopt children who are available for adoption but not living in their home.
   
• Concurrent planning families, who are foster families caring for children whose future situation is uncertain. Social services and the foster family are working toward family reunification but are not sure if that is possible. So, at the same time, they develop an alternative permanency plan for the child (such as adoption or permanent placement with a relative) should reunification efforts fail. When a child in concurrent planning becomes available for adoption, a goal is to reduce the number of moves and the time the child spends in foster care before joining a permanent family. If no kin are available, the foster situation is good for the child and the foster family is open to adoption, the concurrent plan is frequently for the foster family to adopt the child.
   
• Kinship care or kinship adoption families, who care temporarily or permanently for children who are relatives or who are known to the family. Family friends, teachers and neighbors are examples of non-relative "kin" providers. Some kin relationships are informal, similar to extended family members caring for children. Other kin providers choose to become licensed foster families or legal adoptive parents.

While each state has its own policies and procedures, most follow a similar process to prepare foster and adoptive families for their roles. Please see The Adoption Process link on this web site for a description of the steps in becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

Other Ways to Help Children
If you determine that being a resource family is not right for you, there are many other ways to help. You can:

• Provide Respite Care. Creating a new adoptive family takes a lot of time and energy. Adoptive children and families sometimes need breaks to renew and refresh, and people who can care for the children during these times are always needed.
• Mentor a Child. Adoptive families (both children and parents) can benefit from supportive mentors.
• Offer Your Financial Support. Donations to REACH are fully tax-deductible.