8 High-Quality Foster Family Agencies in Riverside County, CA
Foster family agencies all over the U.S. have played a vital role in the lives of children and teens, ensuring they are placed in safe and loving homes with people who can take care of them. Those considering becoming a foster parent should connect and work with various organizations to find the perfect fit.
This article will help you explore the services offered by eight different foster family agencies within and near Riverside County.
1. Knotts Family Agency
Knotts Family Agency is a renowned foster family agency in the Inland Empire; they have been working for over 20 years to cultivate families. The agency operates on a safety net strategy for unhoused teens and babies to ensure they get into stable families. All potential foster parents are treated with the utmost respect, and there is zero tolerance for discrimination.
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Address: |
1175 Idaho St., Suite 202, Redlands, CA 92374 |
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Services: |
Family support and training, specialized foster care programs |
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Key features: |
Provides a basic monthly financial reimbursement of at least $50 higher than average compared to other organizations Offers a special program for temporary or transitional homes, with guardians in charge of details like how many nights Features a Very Important Parent or VIP program, which provides perks like a personal nutritionist or dietician to help with creating healthy and delicious food for your child |
2. Bethany Christian Services
Bethany Christian Services is an accredited and family-centered nonprofit that helps families worldwide stick together. While its headquarters is located in Michigan, the organization operates in 28 states, including California. Its driving factor is a vision where all youth and families are connected, loved and safe.
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Address: |
1700 Iowa Ave. #200, Riverside, CA 92507 |
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Services: |
Foster care, long-term refugee and immigrant foster care |
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Key features: |
Assigns a support team with specialists, supervisors and doctors to understand your child’s individual needs Offers specialized training on reunification and how to parent children who may have experienced trauma Provides Christian family counseling to address problems such as adjustment issues or peer or sibling conflicts |
3. Greenhouse Family Services
Greenhouse Family Services is a private foster care agency filled with dedicated social workers knowledgeable in child and family services. From submitting your first inquiry to receiving your potential placement to finally caring for a foster child, the brand meets you with care, courtesy, and professionalism.
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Address: |
2038 Iowa Ave., Suite 160, Riverside, CA 92507 |
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Services: |
Foster care, resource parenting |
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Key features: |
Holds orientations, training, health screenings, background checks and applications to fully vet applicants Conducts weekly home visits while providing 24-hour on-call support services Offers monthly support meetings for resource parents and foster children to come together |
4. Building Bridges Foster Family Agency
Building Bridges Foster Family Agency is considered an elite foster care organization in California. It works with the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services to fully support would-be foster parents and families. It also provides treatment for abused and neglected children while figuring out reunification with families.
| Address: | 2890 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite 100, Ontario, CA 91764 |
| Services: | Foster parent training |
| Key features: |
Features services accredited by the Council on Accreditation Provides orientation, pride training, CPR and first-aid certification Offers on-call support 24 hours every day of the week to foster parents |
5. Litehouse Children & Family Services
Litehouse Children & Family Services aims to provide San Bernardino and Riverside County with quality foster care services. The organization specializes in helping at-risk and underprivileged children and families. It also tries to look for homes that would welcome pregnant teens, teen moms and medically fragile children.
| Address: | 12033 Jack Benny Drive, Suite 103, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 |
| Services: | Foster care assistance, adoption services, resource parenting |
| Key features: |
Accommodates both long- and short-term placement Provides financial assistance of up to $6,288 per month Offers free training in English and Spanish with in-home assistance |
6. A Coming of Age Foster Family Agency
A Coming of Age Foster Family Agency is a treatment foster family agency that works on providing therapeutic services to children or youth referred to placement with certified foster parents. It prioritizes the care and supervision of kids and dependent adults while hoping to balance dependency and permanency within families in foster care.
| Address: | 7899 Mission Grove Parkway S # A, Riverside, CA 92507 |
| Services: | Foster placement, case management, LGBTQ+ support, behavioral health services, transitional support and more |
| Key features: |
Delivers resource parenting orientation and training classes Offers a Home Study Certification that can allow potential foster parents to partner with the agency Hosts Foster Parent Association Meetings to provide additional training that can help with understanding trauma and mental health identification |
7. Ark Homes Foster Family Agency
Ark Homes Foster Family Agency is a nonprofit organization that aims to make a difference in children’s lives by connecting them with stable homes. It serves Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange County and covers people of all backgrounds. The organization has experience caring for children who are victims of abuse and neglect, with some having special emotional needs.
| Address: | 9645 Arrow Route, Building 5, Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 |
| Services: | Foster parenting |
| Key features: |
Offers orientation and paid training of 30 hours for applicants Provides PRIDE, CPR and first-aid training Distributes a monthly board and care reimbursement to successful foster parents |
8. United Connections Foster Family Agency
United Connections Foster Family Agency is a nonprofit organization that assists foster children and families with the necessary support and resources to create safe and loving homes. Its team comprises social workers, marriage family therapists and clinical counselors that already have experience with foster kids and parents.
| Address: | 11626 Sterling Ave., Suite E, Riverside, CA 92503 |
| Services: | Foster parent training and support, resource referrals |
| Key features: |
Offers 24-hour case management services seven days a week to address inquiries and accomplish the support needed Provides clinical assessments, one-on-one counseling and foster family counseling to children with mental health problems Gives psycho-educational services to families and groups who want to tackle subjects related to the foster care system |
Discovering the Best Foster Family Agency for You
Numerous local agencies connect foster children with stable and loving parents. As you're analyzing which one might be right for your family, here are important elements that should be on your radar.
| Reputation | A foster family agency’s positive reputation often indicates that an organization is good. It should have enough experience within the industry to assist both children and families and have values like compassion and inclusiveness. |
| Placement policies | Each foster family agency will have its own placement policies when matching individuals with children. Ideally, you would have a level of autonomy in choosing the age and demographics of the kid being assigned to you. |
| Community culture | A foster family agency should be more than just a support service. Ideally, the team has a tight-knit community that works together to ensure children are happy and healthy. |
| Responsiveness | There are numerous times that you may have to contact your foster care agency after becoming a foster parent. Some questions are much more urgent than others, and it’s important that you have someone who gets back to you immediately. |
| Levels of support | A foster family agency must also take the initiative to check in with you and your current family. It should provide resources to help you become a better foster parent. |
| Programs for children | Bringing up a foster child in a loving home is a great step toward helping them heal. However, they also need to have a support system behind them. The ideal foster family agency provides programs, clubs and other services to make kids feel safe. |
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions prospective foster parents may have, and their answers.
Are There Many Riverside County Youth in Foster Care?
There are plenty of youth within the child welfare system across the country. About 4,000 children are in the foster care system in Riverside County in 2025. It is important to have every single one find loving parents and a forever home.
How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid in Riverside County?
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help care for their child, though the payment may vary depending on the kid’s needs. There is a new proposal that can boost rates to about $1,788 to $6,296 per month by using the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment.
What Is the Most Common Type of Foster Care?
Many types of foster care help children gain assistance, but two of the most common within the American system are long-term and short-term fostering. Long-term foster care acquaints a child with a stable and supportive environment that they can stay with for life. Meanwhile, short-term foster care involves providing a temporary home to youth.
How Old Are Most Children in Foster Care?
Foster children can be anywhere from infants to 21 years old. The average age is over 8 years old, with some entering the system at an earlier stage in their life. Some kids may age out of the foster care system when they become adults, which makes them susceptible to being unhoused and without education.
What Is the Process for Becoming a Foster Parent?
The process can vary, but you can at least expect to have an orientation about the foster system and a background assessment. The ideal foster parent has a stable income and household to care for a child. They should also be committed to helping children feel loved and safe.
Find Your Family in Riverside County
Before nurturing youth and providing them with a safe space, it’s important to receive training and support to understand what children need. Connect with the best foster family agencies in Riverside County and welcome a new child into your home.