There are over 18,000 children in California displaced annually from their homes and families, often due to no fault of their own. Ready for Life serves a variety of children including those who have been neglected, abused, abandoned or occasionally placed on probation. We are looking for individuals and families like yourselves who are willing to open you hearts and homes as foster parents, respite care workers, mentors and volunteers.

The rewards of foster care are endless. At Ready for Life we believe in working closely with you to insure the success of the foster placements in your home. You will find in us the support and guidance that only and experienced, dedicated and friendly staff can offer. In addition to monthly financial reimbursements to foster homes, Ready for Life  offers a monthly allowance to offset the costs involved when foster children want to pursue their own outside interests. Families who take "Intensive Treatment" foster children are reimbursed at a higher rate, and are provided the assistance of a "Support Counselor" who is available to the family and children up to approximately 20 hours a week (depending on the child's level of need.)

The process of becoming a foster parent with our agency starts with the filling out of an Application and a Criminal Record Statement form. Once those forms are filled out and forwarded to us, we can begin the process that determines your ability to become certified with us. The entire process, which can take anywhere from 30 days to 3 months (depending on how quickly we can gather all of the required paperwork and clearances) involves a complete background check, house inspection and written home study, and requires potential foster parents to have a health exam/TB test, take a First Aid/CPR course, and provide us with such items as proof of insurance, a valid California driver's license and clean DMV report. If your home uses an "alternative water source", such as a well, you will also be required to get a clearance on the well water from the local health department. Many of the costs of these prerequisires may be reimbursed to you after you have been certified with our agency.

To get the process started, you may click on the links above for the application and criminal record statement form, fill them out and then e-mail them back to us, mail them, or bring them by the office during normal business hours.