Foster Parent Calgary
Foster parents help create safety, connection, and new possibilities for children and youth who need it most. When you open your home, you’re offering stability, hope, and the chance for children and youth aged 0 to 17 to grow in a caring environment.
At Hull, you’re supported every step of the way. If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Become an essential partner in creating brighter futures with Hull’s Fostering Connections program.
Who Can Foster:
If you are a responsible, mature and caring adult who can answer yes to the following questions, fostering may be right for you and your family:
- I am a resident of Calgary and area
- I have at least one spare bedroom for a child
- I experience a stable living situation which includes my financial state
- I have good general health and mental health
- I have no criminal record or government intervention record
- There is nothing in my history that would pose a risk to children
- I have a driver’s license and reliable vehicle, or am willing to obtain these
- My overall command of the English language is good (verbal and written)
Fostering With Hull Services
At Hull Services, we believe foster parents deserve unwavering support, meaningful connection, and access to the resources that help children and youth thrive. When you foster with Hull, you’re choosing an agency that stands beside you with the guidance, care, and community you need—every step of the way.
What Makes Hull’s Fostering Connections Program Different
- A Relationship‑Centered Approach: We take the time to truly know our foster parents. You’re part of our community, and we’re committed to building strong, consistent relationships that help you feel confident and supported.
- Support When You Need It—Day or Night: Our team provides in‑home support and after‑hours on‑call assistance to guide you through challenges and celebrate successes. You’re never alone in this journey.
- Learning and Growth Opportunities: Access ongoing training, workshops, and networking events to build your skills and connect with others who share your commitment to children and youth.
- Cultural Resources and Indigenous Supports: Hull is dedicated to honouring the cultural identities of the children or youth in your care. We offer access to Indigenous and other cultural programming, and learning opportunities that help you support each young person in a culturally responsive way.
- Well‑Being and Mental Health Support: As a foster parent with Hull, you can access our Employee Assistance Program—including counselling and wellness resources—to ensure you and your family are cared for, too.
- Community Membership and Activities: Annual membership to the Calgary Foster Parent’s Association provides access to supportive networks, recreational activities, and a community of caregivers who understand your experience.
Become a Foster Parent:
When you become a foster parent with Hull Services, the process includes steps designed to ensure that families are fully prepared to support the child or youth in their care. Applicants progress through a clear and guided licensing process, which includes interviews, home assessments, training, and collaboration with the Hull Services team. Once you are officially licensed, you’ll receive specialized, trauma‑informed training to help you feel confident and equipped as you begin your fostering journey.
When you choose to foster with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, you don’t walk this path alone. Our team works closely with you and government partners to thoughtfully transition youth into your home, ensuring their needs are met with stability and care. Throughout your time fostering, you’ll have continuous access to a supportive community of experienced foster care specialists, trainers, and other fostering families who understand the unique rewards and challenges of this work.
From your very first step to ongoing daily support, fostering with Hull Services means joining a network committed to helping you create a safe, nurturing environment where children and youth can thrive.
The Impact of Fostering Connections
Cultural Impact of Fostering
“My foster parents have supported me by making sure I know about my culture. They take me to powwows and Drum and Dance. This has a big impact on my life because I wouldn’t have learned this much and who knows? Maybe I wouldn’t have been the same person.”
Fostering Connections Builds Families
“Hull has always been there to support me, guide me through challenging times, help when I needed advice, training, advocate to caseworkers and with everything else, day and night. This program has become a part of my family.”
Raising Happy Children Through Fostering
“Having a good support system is everything. Like the saying goes, “it takes a village.” Being a foster family is so incredibly amazing and eye-opening. The more flexible, open-minded, caring, and passionate you are, the more you can succeed at helping raise happy, healthy children.”
Foster Parenting with Hull
“Over the 25 years since I completed my training with Hull, I have been privileged to be able to care for 14 amazing youth. This role has shown ALL of my children what compassion and opportunity can truly mean. These incredible experiences are why some of my children have followed a similar path by becoming relief care workers, foster parents and helping others. There is something truly special about this program and how they build relationships with the entire family!”
FAQs
-
Can foster parents work?
Yes, foster parents can work. While it is ideal for the primary caregiver to be at home or have a flexible schedule, we understand that this isn’t possible for every family. When fostering with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, what matters most is that you are able to meet the needs of the child or youth in your care.
As a foster parent in Calgary, you’ll be responsible for attending appointments, engaging in therapeutic supports, participating in school or community meetings, and responding to unexpected needs that can arise throughout the day. Because of this, we ask that foster parents maintain a job that allows enough flexibility for these responsibilities. Many families choose part‑time work, flexible hours, hybrid roles, or positions that allow for adjusting schedules as needed.
Hull Services provides training, ongoing support, and a team-based approach to help ensure you feel confident in balancing work responsibilities with your caregiving role. Our goal is to support you in creating a stable, nurturing environment where children and youth can thrive.
-
Will I receive financial assistance?
Yes. As a foster parent in Calgary, you will receive financial assistance to help cover the day‑to‑day costs of caring for a child or youth. When you choose to foster with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, foster parents receive a tax‑free per diem, as well as additional relief care compensation. These supports are designed to offset essential expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and personal care items. Child and Family Services (CFS) covers school field trips, sports team etc. on top of daily per diem rates — as well as additional funds for recreation and vacation/camp.
The goal of this financial assistance is to ensure that foster parents have the resources they need to provide a stable, nurturing, and developmentally supportive home environment. While fostering is not considered a source of income, the per diem and related supports help reduce the financial pressure on families so they can focus on building strong, healing relationships with the child or youth in their care.
-
How long does the onboarding process take?
The onboarding and licensing process to become a foster parent in Calgary typically takes six months or longer. Timelines can vary depending on how quickly applicants complete each step, including paperwork, interviews, home studies, and required training. Government approval and licensing processes can also influence how long the full journey takes.
When you choose to foster with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, you won’t go through this process on your own. Our team provides guidance at every stage—from helping you navigate application requirements to preparing you for training and inspections. We work closely with you to keep the process moving smoothly, answer questions, and ensure you feel supported and informed.
While the timeline may vary from family to family, our goal is to make your path to fostering as clear, manageable, and supported as possible, so you can focus on preparing to welcome a child or youth into your home.
-
How old are the children and youth needing foster care?
Hull Services’ Fostering Connections program supports children and youth between ages 0 to 17. Babies, toddlers, children, and youth all require care, however placement decisions are made with great consideration. We work with you to ensure a child or youth that is placed in your home aligns well with your lifestyle and abilities.
-
What is the training process like?
All training is free or paid for by Hull.
The training process for becoming a foster parent is designed to ensure you feel confident, supported, and well‑prepared before opening your home to a child or youth. All prospective foster parents are required to complete Pre‑PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) training, which includes up to 35 hours of self‑directed online learning. This program introduces key topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, understanding the role of a foster parent, navigating the child welfare system, and supporting diverse cultural, emotional, and physical needs.
In addition to Pre‑PRIDE, foster parents must also complete Standard First Aid and CPR certification. This ensures caregivers are equipped to respond appropriately to medical situations or emergencies that may arise.
Overall, the training process is intended to be informative, flexible, and supportive—empowering foster parents with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for the child or youth in their care.
-
What is your involvement with the family?
Maintaining healthy, meaningful connections is an essential part of supporting the well‑being of children and youth in care. As a foster parent with Hull, you play an important role in helping the child or youth stay connected to the people, places, and relationships that matter most to them—including family, cultural communities, school networks, and other significant connections.
When you are fostering with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, you won’t navigate this alone. The government case worker will outline what types of contact or involvement with the family are required, based on their needs and case plan. This might include phone calls, visits, cultural or community events, or other forms of connection.
Our program staff will support you every step of the way. We work closely with foster parents to help carry out family‑related responsibilities in a way that feels safe, respectful, and in the best interest of the child or youth. This collaborative approach not only strengthens relationships for them, but also helps foster parents feel confident and informed as part of the broader caregiving team.
-
Can you remain connected to the youth and their family after they leave your care?
Yes. For many young people, maintaining meaningful relationships after they leave a foster home can be an important source of stability and emotional connection. As a foster parent, you may become a significant support in a child or youth’s life, and many value staying connected to former foster parents who have played a positive role in their growth and healing.
When you are fostering with Hull Services through our Fostering Connections program, these ongoing relationships can continue, as long as they are supported by their legal guardian or case team. Continued connection might look like occasional phone calls, text messages, coffee meetups, attending important milestones, or even staying connected with the child or youth’s family—whatever feels appropriate, healthy, and safe for everyone involved.
Our team encourages these natural, long‑term connections when they are in the best interest of the child or youth. The goal is to help young people build a network of trusted adults they can rely on, even after they transition out of your home. Many foster parents find that these relationships become meaningful lifelong connections that extend well beyond their fostering experience.
-
Fostering might not be a fit right now. Are there other options?
Becoming a foster parent is an important and time-consuming commitment. We understand that it might not be the right time for you to take on fostering, however Hull does have other options available. Relief care is an option that may work for you at this time in your life. If you are interested in our relief care opportunities, please fill out the inquiry form.
For more ways to make a difference with Hull, visit our Get Involved page.
