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Foster Care

Are you a current CHC foster parent? Click here for important resources!

What is Foster Care?

When a child is removed from their family due to abuse or neglect, they need a stable and loving foster family to care for them. The intent of foster care is to temporarily protect children in a healthy and stable environment when they cannot remain safely in their family home. The goal of foster care is reunification with the family. Although foster homes are designed to be temporary, the love and care a child receives there will last a lifetime.

Types of Foster Homes

Regular Foster Home - A foster home that has met all the DSS and Crosswell requirements to have a child or children in their home for an unspecified period of time to act as a parent(s) when the child(ren) are unable to be in the home of their family.
Respite Home - A fully licensed foster home that provides short-term relief care for a foster child(ren) in another foster home or residential group home.

OVER 4,000 CHILDREN
IN FOSTER CARE IN S.C.

2,800 FOSTER HOMES.

YOU CAN HELP

Click here to see the current needs in South Carolina

Why foster with Crosswell?

We believe that one of our roles as believers in Christ is to provide a safe haven for the fatherless and those in need. We believe that upon belief in Jesus Christ, we are accepted as adopted sons and daughters with the responsibility to show the same saving grace to the lost and broken (Romans 8:14-17).

As a means of meeting a growing need in our community and state, John K. Crosswell Home for Children established a foster care program with the same mission and goals as its heart. Our fostering program is designed to meet the needs of children ages birth to 21. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing home where children can grow and meet their fullest potential. Crosswell’s foster care program provides qualified foster parents with the training, tools, and support they need to make a difference in the lives of children. We are currently licensing families in Sumter, Greenville, and surrounding counties.

As a Christian organization, Crosswell Home for Children’s foster care services are administered in a faith-based environment. However, the need for loving foster parents in our state is immense, and we are happy to help refer you to another wonderful organization to help with your foster care journey if we are not the best fit for you.

Helpful information about Fostering

Foster Children need parents who can ...

Accept their sense of loss and need to heal
Be self-confident, but not afraid to ask for help or support when needed
Work with social workers, teachers, therapists, and community partners
Keep them connected to their family and community (when possible)
Support their racial and cultural diversity
Learn to help them manage their trauma
Be compassionate, open-minded, and flexible
Advocate for the children whom we serve
Actively participate in all aspects of care (schooling, counseling, medical care, court dates, etc.)
Treat foster children with the same privileges and rights as you would/do your own children
Assist foster children in pursuing their passions and talents
Be a source of nurturing care, persistent involvement, and ceaseless encouragement to the children in your home

Requirements for Foster Parents

Be at least 21 years old
Be financially stable enough to support an additional child in your home
Have supportive character references
Be in good physical and mental health
Satisfy background screening requirements
Pass a fire and health inspection
Complete 14 hours of pre-licensing training and an additional 15 hours of training annually
Complete a home study

What can I expect from Crosswell?

To follow up with concerns or questions promptly
To maintain your confidentiality
To be available to you by phone or in person in times of need
To be honest in sharing information
To keep you informed of trainings and resources available to you
To advocate on your behalf
To provide reasonable access to our services, facilities, and resources needed to care for the children in your home
To walk you through each step of licensure and re-licensure
To be a constant source of support and encouragement to your family

If I place my child with Crosswell Home, will you make a report to DSS?"

We do not report parents just because they place their children with us. We would only make a report if we had significant safety concerns for the child which required a report.
When a child is placed with Crosswell Home, do parents lose custody to Crosswell Home or DSS?"

No, we do not take custody of or involve DSS with the children privately placed in our care unless we have significant safety concerns for the children which necessitates making a report.
Do parents lose their right to make decisions about their children, including when they are discharged back home?"

Parents are included in decision making for their children, and they can decide when they are discharged, unless Crosswell Home has safety concerns for the child or chooses to discharge the child for behavioral reasons.
What things does Crosswell Home consider when determining whether or not to place a child?

We have to consider the safety of the children already in the cottage. Our cottages are family-like, and we accept children who can function in a home environment. We also try to ensure that we can adequately meet the needs of the child and the family, and that we are the best placement option available for that child.
Are most of the children there because they have been in trouble?

No, children at Crosswell Home are not placed with us because of “bad” behavior, but because of outside circumstances that are beyond their control.
Is there any cost to the parents if their child is placed at Crosswell Home?

No, the parents do not have to pay for the children to be placed here. All costs, including housing, food, and clothing are covered by the Home.
If a child is placed at Crosswell Home, can parents call and visit with them?"

Yes, parents can call their children often at the cottage and can schedule weekend home visits or on-campus visits in our visitation center. Visits will need to be scheduled in advance around activities the children are involved in with the cottage or school.
Want to learn more about residential care at Crosswell Home?

If you are interested in learning more about our residential care program, we encourage you to give us a call. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the application process and answer any questions you might have about residential care. Please contact our Executive Director, Jerry Allred, at (803) 778-6441 or jallred@crosswellhome.org

Want to learn more?

Ready to start the licensing process?

If you are ready to begin the licensing process to become a foster parent, please complete our interest form above.

If you want to learn more about our foster care program,

we encourage you to give us a call or send us an email. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the application process and answer any questions you might have.

Please contact our Director of Child and Family Services, Kelly Rowell,

at (803) 774-2761 or krowell@crosswellhome.org