Fostering with Faith and Support
Fostering is a deeply rewarding journey, and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Through ongoing training and guidance from skilled, compassionate professionals, we equip you with the tools you need to care for God’s children.
With over 100 years of experience rooted in faith, Amarillo Children’s Home has been a beacon of hope in our community. From our campus in Amarillo to our decades-long partnerships with local resources, we are committed to sharing the wisdom, support, and love that has been at the heart of our mission for more than a century. Together, let’s answer the call to care for vulnerable children with Christ’s love.
One Yes Can Change Everything
Every child longs to feel safe. To know they are loved. To believe they belong.
But right now, here in Amarillo and across the Texas Panhandle, half of our foster children are being sent hours away to South Texas because we don’t have enough local foster homes. That means kids are leaving behind their schools, their friends, their community, everything familiar, simply because there aren’t enough open beds in our area.
That’s why we created our new video, The Difference You Can Make. It shares the true story of one local child who found hope when a foster family said yes. Their yes didn’t just change her life, it transformed her family’s story too.
At Amarillo Children’s Home, our mission has always been to care for kids. Through our foster care program, we want families to understand that foster care isn’t mainly about adoption, though about 30% of the time, that is the outcome. The heart of foster care is reunification. It’s about standing in the gap for a season, loving children fully while helping their biological families heal, so that one day they can be together again.
When you open your heart and home, even temporarily, you are giving a child what they need most: safety, stability, and love. You may also be the one to show them, and their parents, the hope of Jesus.
ACH has long cared for children in our group home, but the need in our community is greater than ever. ACH has expanded our programs to now license foster homes in the community. We need families across Amarillo and the Panhandle to step in. Even if it’s just for a season, your yes could change a child’s life forever.
We offer:
- In-depth Training
- Dedicated Case Worker
- Individualized Support
- 24/7 Emergency Support
- Support Groups
- Respite & Babysitting Services
- Independent Advocacy
- Foster Family Appreciation Events
- Supply/Clothing Closets
- Holiday Parties
Learn More
- Who are the Children in Foster Care?
Kids enter the foster care system through no fault of their own, often because of tough situations like neglect, abuse, parental substance use, a parent’s incarceration, or even a parent’s medical challenges.
Foster care is like a safety net – a temporary setup that gives parents the time and support they need to work with local social services and build the skills to better care for their kids.
The ultimate goal? Bringing families back together stronger than before!
- Different Types of Foster Care
Family Foster Care: This is the heart of fostering – a warm, welcoming home where a child becomes part of the family. It’s all about creating a nurturing environment where they can feel safe and loved.
Respite Foster Care: Sometimes kids need a short-term landing spot, whether it’s due to an emergency removal, waiting on relative home studies, or just fiving an existing foster family a breather. Think of it as a temporary pit stop on the road to stability.
Babysitting: Foster families need breaks too! Whether it’s for date night or a work event, approved babysitters step in to lend a hand, keeping kiddos safe and happy for an hour or two.
Foster care comes in all shapes and sizes, each one sed on supporting children and families in the best way possible!
- The Primary Goal of Foster Care
The main mission of foster care? To give kids a safe and loving temporary home while working toward a permanent one.
Whether that’s reunited them with their birth family, finding a caring relative, or even being adopted by their foster family, the goal is always stability and support.
Kids of all ages – from tiny newborns to young adults up to 21 – might find themselves in foster care, each with a unique story and a bright future ahead.
- Who can be a Foster Parent?
Foster families come in all shapes and sizes! At ACH, our foster parents are usually married Christian couples living in the Texas Panhandle.
They might reside on a farm, have settled in a small town, or live right in the heart of Amarillo.
Some families already have kids, while others are just starting their parenting journey.
What ties all these amazing families together? A big heart and a deep desire to give children the care, stability, and love they need in a safe, temporary home.
- What it takes to Foster a Child
- Love & Patience: Because every child deserves a caring heart and understanding hands.
- A Safe, Stable Home: A place where they can feel secure and loved.
- Great Communication & Problems Solving Skills: Working together to tackle challenges with grace.
- A Willingness to Learn: Embracing new parenting tools to support a child who’s been through trauma.
- Understanding Each Child’s Uniqueness: Every child has their own abilities, interests, and story – celebrate them all!
- A Team Player: Ready to work with the child’s support team to give them the best future possible.
- A Sense of Humor: Sometimes, a good laugh is the best medicine!
Fostering is about creating a space where children can thrive – and you can be the loving guide that helps them grow!
- Our Services Include
- Certification: We’ve got you covered with all the training you need to get licensed and ready to foster.
- In-Home Services: From case management to a supportive ear, we’re here to help every step of the way.
- 24-Hour Support: Need help outside office hours? Our emergency on-call phone line is available for support, anytime – day or night, weekend or holiday.
- Daily Reimbursement: We offer daily care reimbursement based on the child’s needs – because you deserve support for your amazing work!
- Respite Care: Everyone needs a break! Take some time for yourself with our respite care services.
We’re here to support you with all the tools, resources, and encouragement you need to make a big impact in a child’s life!
- Requirements for Foster Parents
- A Heart to Share Jesus’ Love: Open to showing a vulnerable child the love of Christ.
- A Love for Children: You have a heart for kids and a passion to support those who need it most.
- Safe & Supportive Home: Create a stable, nurturing environment where kids can thrive.
- 21 Older: Ready to take on the responsibility of fostering with a caring heart!
- Good Health: Be free from health issues that might affect your ability to care for children.
- Valid Driver’s License: Ready to get the kids where they need to be!
- Mental & Emotional Stability: Able to provide a calm, steady environment for kids who need it most.
- Financial Stability: Be in a place where you can support yourself and a child in care.
- Background Checks: For everyone’s safety, background checks are part of the process.
- Texas Panhandle Resident: You’ll need to live in the Texas Panhandle area.
- Room for One More: Have the space in your home for another child in need.
- Training: Complete free, convenient training both in and out of your home, at times that work for you.
- New Life Experiences: Excited to introduce a child to new adventures and life lessons!
Ready to make a difference? We can’t wait to see if fostering is right for you!
Attend a Foster Care Info Session in Amarillo
- You’re interested in becoming a foster parent
- You’re not ready yet, but you’d like to learn more
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