Why we are called ALIGN.
When the sun, moon and earth line up, the tide pushes up the Amazon and turns a river's current. Brazilians call that wave the Pororoca.
When a young person, a family, caseworkers and the right support line up, the current in a life can change too. That is the whole idea behind our name.
You may already qualify.
Most people rule themselves out over a rule that doesn't exist.
You are single
You do not need a partner to foster in Utah.
You rent
You do not have to own your home. It has to be safe and stable.
You already have kids
Families with children of their own foster, and so do adults who have never parented.
You are not sure
Nobody starts out knowing everything. That is what training is for.
The path start to finish.
Every step, in order, so you know what you are saying yes to.
Support that does not disappear when the real work begins.
Plenty of families can manage the first week. What decides whether a placement holds is what happens in month four, on the hard day, at 9pm.
Treatment Coordinator
One team who knows your family, start to finish.
Medication management
We work with medical providers so you are not tracking it alone.
Respite, when you need a breath
Asking for a break is part of doing this well, not a sign you are failing.
The young people waiting.
ALIGN serves children and youth from age five into young adulthood.
Teenagers
They need an adult who is still there next month. If you have raised teenagers, this may fit you better than you would guess.
Brothers and sisters
When it is possible and safe, siblings do better together. Homes with room for two or three are rare.
Individuals with higher needs
Higher needs come with higher support: a skilled caregiver, a full team, and services built around one young person.
Families already doing this.
In their words, not ours.
“I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“Culture does not stop at your front door.”
“If fostering is on your heart.”
Refer a family
Steady, teachable, a little room at the table. You probably already know them. Send us their name.
Offer respite
You can support a foster family without fostering full time. Ask what respite involves.
Support a family you know
A meal, a ride, an afternoon. Do not ask what they need. Pick something and do it.