Children in foster care come from all backgrounds—most share a background of abuse or neglect. They can be newborns, toddlers, or teenagers. They come from every part of the state and every race, religion, and socio-economic group. In many instances, their parents have unresolved substance abuse issues.
In Utah, we urgently need foster families to provide safe and affirming homes for children, siblings, and teens.
When a child comes into foster care, they likely will have a brother or sister—sometimes more than one. Foster parents are invited to consider caring for sibling groups to avoid further traumatizing vulnerable children through separation.
Imagine being removed from your parents—only to “lose” your siblings, too. In rural settings, breaking up sibling groups often has huge consequences—with children spread too far to maintain meaningful relationships.
Almost half of the children in foster care in Utah are ages 12–18.
Teenagers in foster care share many of the same concerns as other teens—fitting in, stressing over homework, and obsessing about their clothes. But unlike most, they also worry about where they’ll be living next month, whether their parents made it to counseling, and how to make friends in a place they might not stay.
“It can be hard because everyone treats you like you’re a bad kid. We’re just normal kids who want a family to love them.”
— Child in Foster Care
It’s never too late to adopt a teen when there is still a lifetime of holiday meals and significant milestones to celebrate together.
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law that governs how the state may interact with Native American children. Because Native American tribes are sovereign nations, there are some differences in how these foster care cases are treated.
An important part of a Tribe’s decision-making on behalf of a child in care comes from a desire to pass on important traditions, history, values, and teachings to future generations. Tribes are hesitant to allow Native children to be adopted by non-Native families, where they are unsure that their traditions and culture will be honored.
Because of this, Utah Foster Care actively recruits Native American families to serve as foster parents and urges all foster parents interested in caring for Native children to familiarize themselves with ICWA.
For M\More information, please contact — Stephanie Benally (801) 783-4430 or visit utahfostercare.org/tribes/.
Hispanic and Latino children are overrepresented in the Utah foster care population, with many facing unique challenges related to cultural identity, language, and family connections.
Having foster families who are familiar with Hispanic or Latino cultures is essential in helping these children maintain a connection to their roots and ensure that their emotional, social, and developmental needs are met.
Language is also a critical factor, as children who speak Spanish are more likely to thrive in homes where they can communicate freely. For children who have already experienced trauma, having a foster home that respects and understands their cultural background can provide a sense of security and stability as they heal and adapt to their new circumstances.
As the Hispanic and Latino population continues to grow in Utah, the demand for culturally competent foster families increases, making it essential to recruit more foster parents from these communities.
For more information, please reach out to — Melanie Montelongo (801) 743-7320.
Being in foster care is tough; being LGBTQ+ in foster care can feel even harder. Nationally, over 30% of youth in care identify as LGBTQ+, and they are three times more likely to attempt suicide and four times more likely to be kicked out or run away for being queer compared to their peers. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
While LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges, their sexual orientation or gender identity shouldn’t be seen as an added difficulty. They go through the same milestones and struggles as any teenager. You don’t need special skills to care for them—just a commitment to being a safe, affirming adult.
The behavior of children in foster care may be influenced by past trauma. They’ve learned habits that helped keep them safe—habits that can negatively impact how they relate to the world around them. As a foster family, you can offer a safe home and a chance to replace old habits with new ones. We offer training to help you understand the trauma they’ve experienced and how to effectively care for them.
© 2025 Utah Foster Care.
