Fostering 101 Event Connects St. Johns County Residents with Foster Care Resources and Experiences

• 2 September 2026
• Category: Community Well-Being SJC News
• Tags: 2026

Community event highlighted the need for additional foster families and ways residents can support children in care

The St. Johns County Family Integrity Program and St. Johns County Public Library System recently hosted Fostering 101, bringing community members together to learn more about foster care and adoption, ask questions, and hear firsthand experiences from foster parents and Family Integrity Program staff. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlight the important cause.

The free event, held at the St. Johns County Public Library Main Branch, was designed to give individuals and families an informal opportunity to explore whether becoming a foster or adoptive parent may be right for them. Attendees also learned about other ways they can support children in care, including mentoring and volunteering.

The Family Integrity Program emphasized the ongoing need for additional foster families in St. Johns County. While becoming a foster parent can be challenging, hearing from experienced foster parents can help prospective families understand that they are not alone in navigating the difficulties that can come with fostering. Residents can also hear directly from a local foster family by watching the Conover family’s fostering story and learning more about their experience opening their home and providing stability and support to children in care.

The event’s panel discussion and question-and-answer session gave attendees an opportunity to learn from people who have experienced both the challenges and successes of foster care. The open conversation also allowed participants to ask questions they may not have considered before and better understand the support systems available to foster families.

Even residents who ultimately determine that fostering is not the right fit for their family can play an important role by sharing information with friends, neighbors, churches, and other community members. The event also highlighted opportunities to support children in care through mentoring, volunteering, and other activities.

A key focus of the discussion was the importance of keeping siblings together whenever possible. The Family Integrity Program works with other counties when needed to help find appropriate placements and emphasized the need for foster homes capable of caring for sibling groups.

Keeping siblings together can provide children with consistency and an important connection during an already difficult transition into foster care. Stable relationships and dependable adults can help children navigate the trauma associated with entering care and provide a sense of belonging and security.

The event also introduced attendees to the nine-week National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC), which is required for prospective foster and adoptive parents. The training helps prepare families for the realities of foster care and provides resources and information to help them determine whether they are ready to take the next step.

Residents can learn more about foster care through the Behind the SJCenes podcast episode, Foster Parent Program with John Hurt, which provides additional insight into the County’s foster parent program.

Fostering 101 demonstrated that supporting children in care extends beyond becoming a foster parent. Whether through opening a home to a child, keeping siblings together, mentoring, volunteering, or simply sharing information with someone who may be interested in fostering, community members can help ensure children have stable relationships and supportive adults in their lives.

Residents can learn more about becoming a foster parent on the County’s website.