Foster Care in Florida
Families First, Every Step of the Way
The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) has delivered foster care services throughout Florida since 2007, beginning in Broward County and growing into a larger network. From Jacksonville to South Florida, our services are built to serve Florida's geographic and cultural diversity with local services and support.
Florida's Philosophy on Foster Care
Florida’s foster care system serves youth from a wide range of communities, cultures, and life experiences. While every story is different, at NYAP we believe each youth deserves stability, safety, and caring adults who are committed to their well-being. Our Florida team achieves this through individualized, trauma-responsive support that recognizes foster parents as essential members of each youth’s treatment team.
Our foster care team understands the power of fostering and maintaining family connections. We are committed to engaging primary families in the care and services delivered to their youth. At NYAP, we understand that primary families often need ongoing support and mentoring to prepare for reunification and sustain long-term success. By prioritizing the engagement of each youth’s family and positive relationship building between primary and foster families, we help create enduring support systems.
Florida Foster Care Programs
NYAP offers a range of foster care services designed to meet the needs of youth across Florida. Each program provides the level of support necessary to help youth and families move toward safety, stability, and success.
Enhanced Foster Homes
Provides youth, including those with enhanced behavioral, emotional, developmental, or medical needs, with safe, stable, and nurturing temporary homes while their families work toward reunification and long-term stability.
Foster Homes for Survivors of Human Trafficking
Provides secure, supportive foster homes and specialized services for youth who have experienced human trafficking, helping them begin the process of healing and recovery.
Therapeutic Foster Homes
Delivers individualized, trauma-responsive care for youth with significant emotional, behavioral, or social needs.
Your Journey to Becoming a NYAP Foster Parent
Our experienced Florida team will guide you through each step of becoming a foster parent. Throughout this process, you will receive individualized guidance and answers to your questions.
Reach Out
Submit a foster parent inquiry form or contact your nearest Florida office to get started
Attend an Information Session
Learn about Florida's foster care system and what NYAP foster parenting looks like in practice
Participate in Preservice Training
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to support the unique needs of youth experiencing foster care
Complete Your Home Study
Work with our team to complete Florida's foster care licensing requirements
Licensing
Receive your Florida foster care license within 60-90 days of initial contact
Welcome Your First Youth
Begin your fostering journey with the support of NYAP's Florida team
Florida Foster Parent Requirements
Our Florida foster parents reflect the diversity and strength of communities across the state. While every family’s background and experience are unique, all share a commitment to providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for youth. We welcome applicants who are:
At least 21 years old
Able to dedicate time and energy to each youth’s growth and well-being
In good physical and mental health
Financially able to sustain their household without foster care payments
Able to provide a living space that ensures each youth's privacy and comfort
Complete comprehensive background checks
Free from disqualifying history with Child Protective Services
Committed to preservice training and ongoing education
Ready to engage in preservice training and collaborate with NYAP's multidisciplinary team
Frequently Asked Questions
About NYAP’s Foster Care Services
in Colorado
-
Our solution to delivering high-quality, consistent foster care services across Florida is our multi-office footprint. Whether you are in Jacksonville, Fort Myers, the Palm Beach area, or a number of cities in between, you are connected to a local NYAP team that knows your community.
-
Yes, and many of our foster parents work. The practical considerations depend on the age of each youth you’re fostering. Your NYAP team will talk through your work situation during the home study process and help you think through childcare options, flexibility for appointments, and how to prepare for unexpected situations before you welcome a youth into your home.
-
At NYAP, we understand that fostering a teenager is different from caring for a younger child. Teens experiencing foster care often remain deeply connected to their primary families, even when they can no longer live safely at home. What they need most are consistent, compassionate adults who can offer stability, guidance, and encouragement as they prepare for adulthood.
Our Florida team provides foster parents with specialized training in adolescent development and trauma-responsive care to help them support the unique needs of older youth. For many foster parents, these relationships become some of the most meaningful parts of their fostering journey.
-
NYAP offers many different kinds of support to our foster parents, including crisis support, mentoring, skill development, high-quality training, support groups, and respite. We understand that each foster family is unique, and the support they need will vary. NYAP individualizes support to each foster family who joins our team.
Youth experiencing foster care in Florida need committed adults in their corner. If that sounds like you, NYAP is ready to help you take the first step.