FOSTER CARE
Every child deserves a place to call home.
Across North Carolina, nearly 11,000 children are in foster care. They need safety, stability, and hope, and the Church is uniquely called to respond.
At BCH we walk alongside families from the very first inquiry, providing training, 24/7 support, and a community that keeps you from carrying this alone.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Let’s talk about fostering.
No commitment, just a conversation. We’ll send you a foster care information packet and follow up to answer your questions.
In the hardest moments, steady love changes everything.
Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Abuse, neglect, and family crisis can disrupt a child’s sense of safety and belonging. In those moments, they need steady adults who will step in with compassion and consistency.
Foster care provides temporary, safe homes while biological families work toward reunification. The goal for a child is permanency and whenever possible, reunification with their biological families.
We believe the Church is uniquely positioned to respond. When believers step into foster care, children experience more than stability. They experience Christlike love in action.
Why foster care matters: 15,738
North Carolina children in foster care · January 2025
Behind every number is a child waiting for a safe home — and a church family ready to say yes. Hover over a county to see recent statistics of how many children are in foster care.
how placement works –
Two pathways home.
When a child cannot safely stay at home, BCH offers two kinds of care. Here is how each one works, and where both are headed.
A child enters county DSS custody. DSS makes the placement decision.
Home-based foster care
A licensed BCH family raises the child in their own household.- One household, one steady bondThe child attaches to the same caregivers day after day.
- Rooted in a communitySchool, neighborhood, and church stay constant.
- The church is close at handThe family’s own congregation shows up in person.
- A short path to permanenceFamilies often support reunification, or adopt.
Residential care in a BCH home
Cottage parents raise a household of children in a BCH-owned home.- Siblings stay togetherLarge sibling groups are placed in one home.
- Cottage parents on siteTrained missionaries serve as consistent adults.
- Structure that steadiesPredictable routines and on-site staff support.
- Room to stay and growStability after repeated moves, through the teen years.
Where both pathways lead
- Reunification
- Kinship permanence
- Adoption
- Prepared for adulthood
In every home and along every pathway, children hear and see the gospel.
The local church surrounds both pathways: prayer, gospel-centered trauma-informed training, and wraparound care.
Journey to becoming a foster family.
1
Information Meetings
Learn more about the why, how, and what related to what it means to become a foster family. There’s no obligation, but if you sense God might be moving you in that direction, this is a great starting place.
2
Licensing
This is the formal 10-session process of training to become foster parents. BCH trainings will equip you with what you need to know to be what God has called you to be.
3
Placement
All children are placed into care by the State of North Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). While DSS is responsible the child and biological family, we provide care for you and the child.
4
Support
BCH case managers’ responsibility is to care for foster families and the children in their care. In addition, we provide opportunities for retreats, conferences, training at no cost to ensure you are best prepared for the journey.
near Shelby, NC –
A home, a farm, and two families next door.
Most families foster on their own street. At River Hill Refuge, three BCH‑owned homes sit together on five acres of donated farmland in Cleveland County, each one lived in full‑time by a licensed foster family. You get the house, the land, and neighbors who understand exactly what your week has been like.
If your family is called to foster and open to where you live, this may be your next step.
take the first step —
FOSTER CARE LICENSING
Attend an upcoming foster care information session or training near you.
Becoming a licensed foster family starts with training. BCH offers foster care licensing training across North Carolina throughout the year. Find an upcoming session in your region and register below.
don’t see one near you? —
No training in your area yet?
New trainings are added throughout the year. Tell us where you are and we’ll reach out when a session opens near you, or request an informational meeting to learn more about becoming a foster family.
Find a Training
Choose an upcoming session in your region, or join the interest list if nothing fits yet.
Register
Sign up online in a couple of minutes. We'll send you everything you need to prepare.
Get Licensed & Supported
Complete training, become licensed through BCH, and step into fostering with our support behind you.
A CLEAR PICTURE
What foster care is, and what it isn't.
At BCH, we walk alongside families every step of the journey so they are equipped, supported, and never alone.
PREPARING YOU TO FOSTER WELL
A heart to foster, and the preparation to do it well.
Answering this call takes compassion and readiness. From your first inquiry through licensing and beyond, BCH provides the training and support you need to care for vulnerable children with confidence and grace.
You bring the willing heart. We'll help with the rest.
Licensing Guidance
Step-by-step support through every stage of the licensing and preparation process.
Gospel-Centered Trauma-Informed Training
Evidence-based approaches grounded in trauma-aware best practices.
Ongoing Case Management
Dedicated case workers walking with you and advocating throughout each placement.
24/7 Support
When challenges arise, at any hour, our team is ready to walk through them with you.
Community Connection
Connection with other foster families who understand the journey firsthand.
Christ-Centered Encouragement
Faith-rooted encouragement and prayer support throughout your entire fostering journey.
Foster care is ministry, and ministry deserves preparation.
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
— Psalm 68:5 (ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you say YES?
Whether you want to learn more, get involved, or simply ask a question, we'd love to hear from you.