Family Services works with Vermont families to make sure children are safe and their basic needs are met. Most children live at home while we engage with the parents — and extended family members —  to plan for their safety and provide the supports the family needs to follow through with the plan.

When children cannot safely live at home, the first preference is to place them with relatives or family friends. It is less traumatic for them to be with people they know, and it keeps them connected— to their parents and communities. When that is not possible, the state needs to find safe, nurturing places for them to live while they can’t be at home. That's where you come in.

How You Can Help

There are several ways you can help children and families in your community:

1. Respite Care
2. Foster & Kinship Foster Care
3. Adopt a Waiting Child

For More Information

• About providing respite or foster care, contact the DCF Family Service Division District Office nearest to you and ask to speak to the Resource Coordinator.

• About adopting a waiting child, call 1-800-746-7000.