Become a Temporary Emergency Foster Parent

Provide Emergency Foster Care Placement

Help a Child in Need

Sometimes, children rescued from abuse and neglect don’t have a home immediately available. As an emergency foster parent, you can provide a temporary foster home for a child while a suitable foster home is sought. Being part of this crucial initiative with Knotts Family Agency allows you to aid in the temporary placement of a child and make a real difference in their life.

About Emergency Foster Care Placement

Emergency foster care placement or short-term foster care involves training families who are willing to provide temporary emergency placement services for children and non-minor dependents (NMD). The county and foster family agency will search for a suitable placement match during this time. When children are initially removed from a home, matching them to a placement that can meet their needs within a reasonable period can be challenging.

For this reason, emergency foster care placement programs allow foster parents to provide temporary shelter for these children. Placements are for a minimum of one day to a maximum of 15 days. Typically, children in temporary emergency placement do not have visitation with biological relatives, and you may not have all the responsibilities associated with regular foster care. As a result, serving as a temporary foster care parent might be ideal if you are interested in short-term care but do not want to commit to full-time foster parenting.

Emergency Kinship Placement for Relatives

If a child you’re related or close to has recently entered the foster care system, the state of California may turn to you to provide kinship care. Kinship care has several emotional and psychological benefits for children, in addition to providing financial support to caregivers.

In times of emergency, it is crucial to provide children with a familiar and secure environment as soon as possible. In situations where a child’s safety is at risk, emergency placements may be necessary. If a relative or close family friend passes initial safety assessments, they may temporarily care for the child. This provisional arrangement allows the child to stay in a familiar environment while the caregiver completes the remaining requirements of the resource family approval (RFA) process. 

See What Our Parents Have to Say

  • Thank you so much for the wonderful halloween event you had for the kids.so much fun

    Isabel Banuelos Avatar Isabel Banuelos

    Our experience with Knott’s has been spectacular. They’ve come along side us during our entire process and they treat you like family

    David Bartley Avatar David Bartley

    This agency helps out with everything we need. Always gt th support we need.

    Andrew Quiros Avatar Andrew Quiros
  • Our family has had such a great experience with this agency.

    Angelica Espinoza Avatar Angelica Espinoza

    I have been with Knotts Agency over 3 years. The staff has always been very professional and has made sure to help take care of any concerns I have ever had. They are always wanting to help make my experience with them is a great... read more

    Elizabeth Ovando Avatar Elizabeth Ovando

    The person who has been supervising the visits has done an amazing job he truly is the person ideal for his job his name is Jonathan and he really allows my daughter and I to have a good time and he is always super respectful and polite.

    Diana Acosta Avatar Diana Acosta
  • It was an amazing experience.. The staff is wonderful and very attentive. They are available 24/7 and make themselves available for all your needs....The best agency ever....They go above and beyond for the kiddos and the Foster Parents

    Mo Kanthasamy Avatar Mo Kanthasamy

    It's a Great place!! The staff are kind and friendly. It is a Great Foster Agency to be in.

    ERNEST SORIA Avatar ERNEST SORIA

    Estoy satisfecha por el servicio y el apoyo que nos brindan como padres de crianza que somos nosotros

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    lilian Beltran Avatar lilian Beltran
  • Siento que la agencia hace lo mejor para nosotros y sobretodo para tantos niños que lo necesitan

    kayra granados Avatar kayra granados

    Knotts is a great agency full of very caring people! We're very happy that we chose to go with them as our FFA.

    Kasey Gasca Avatar Kasey Gasca

    I love Knott's family, they have an awesome staff..

    Sandra Adams Avatar Sandra Adams

Support Services for Short-Term Foster Care Parents

As a resource parent in our temporary foster care program, you will receive comprehensive support and resources to help you manage a fulfilling foster care process. When a child is placed, you receive the full level of care (LOC) payment the child requires for the duration of their stay, which can amount to $2,400 a month. 

As a foster parent with Knotts Family Agency, you are also automatically enrolled in our Very Important Parent (VIP) program. This program includes personalized services for your family, such as:

Knotts Family Agency focuses on Parent Delight — a dedication to ensuring resource parents are happy as they care for children in nee. 

How to Become a Temporary Foster Care Parent

a baby girl with curly hair is smiling and wearing a white and orange polka dot dress

To become an emergency foster care parent in the State of California, you must meet the basic requirements:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have at least one extra bedroom in an owned or rented home
  • Have no criminal history that will prevent you from being a foster parent
  • Be able to manage your expenses
  • Possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance

Becoming a foster parent involves an application, background check, training, interview and agency approval. It can take as soon as two weeks to be approved. From there, your file will be submitted to your county for final clearance so you can begin emergency fostering.

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