You may work full time and have foster children over the age of 5 years.  We require that for children 5 and younger that an at home parent is available.  Infants and toddlers need the full-time care provided by an at-home parent.

Additionally, resource families who work full time usually are not available when social workers need to place children in resource homes; and full time employment restricts the time resource families are available to foster children for whom they provide care. Resource families are also responsible for providing transportation to family visits, doctor visits, therapy visits as required by child’s needs.

We are looking for a stable family-type setting in which to place foster children. This can be a single parent, married couple, or an unmarried couple with a stable relationship. Anyone living in the home over the age of 18 years must be involved in the approval process.

You must have a stable and verifiable source of income to take care of your family. California State Regulations require that foster families must be able to meet all their family’s financial needs. Foster Care cannot be used as income for this purpose.

Resource homes must have safely operating vehicles that are insured and large enough to transport the entire family.   Foster children will need to be taken for visitation with parents and other family members, to court, medical & dental appointments, school, and extra-curricular activities.  If a resource family does not have a valid driver’s license, they must present a feasible plan on how the children will be transported to necessary activities.

Resource families must have phone service and telephone numbers, (land line or cell) that are accurate and unblocked.  Resource families must be available to receive telephone calls for possible placement at all time.

Each foster child must have his or her own bed and may share a bedroom with only one other child.  When sharing a bedroom, children over the age of five must be of the same gender.

For more information about Resource Families please call:

909-891-3300 or 1-800-722-4477

or write to:

Resource Family Approval Program
1495 S. E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415

To begin the process of becoming a resource or adoptive parent you are required to attend a Resource Parent Orientation.  We currently offer Orientation sessions several times a month at various locations throughout the county.  To find out specific dates and locations of upcoming Orientation sessions, you can call 1-800-722-4477.  The application process will be explained greater detail at these sessions.

​The number of foster children that can be placed in a resource home varies depending on the size and capacity of the home. California State Licensing Regulations set an absolute limit of six children who can reside in a resource home, with no more than two children per bedroom. *This limit of six children includes the number of ALL children permitted in the home, including your biological children.

Resource families do not get paid for providing care to the children placed in their homes. However, for each child placed in your home you will receive a foster care reimbursement to be used for caring for and meeting the needs of the children placed in your homes.  These needs include providing adequate and appropriate clothing and feeding of the foster child. The basic foster care rates depend on various factors including the age of the child. For children who have special requirements, there is a specialized care increment, and the ranges are determined by the child’s social worker.

​It is difficult to say when you will get your first placement. Generally speaking, you complete the licensing process, which includes having a Home Study competed, and receive your license. Once, your foster care license has been approved and issued, social workers can begin calling you to place a child.

Contact the Colton Transitional Assistance Department
2040 Woodpine Ave. Colton CA 92324
(909) 421-4029

​These are children who may be severely neglected, suffering from physical or sexual abuse and may have emotional problems related to their experiences. The children’s behavior may not be appropriate to their ages. Many of these children may also be behind in school and need someone to support and advocate for them in the educational system.   Regardless of the physical and emotional problems with which these children must deal, they all need a safe, nurturing home environment.

​California State Licensing Regulations require an applicant to be an adult who is at least 18 years of age. However, this is only one factor to be considered. We are also looking for a solid background in parenting children. Such a background is seldom, if ever, present in young adults. As a rule of thumb, we look for people who have attained at least ten years of adulthood.