FAQs about Safe Families
As a parent, will I be able to talk to my kids?
Yes, absolutely! Safe Families encourages regular contact with your child(ren) through phone calls, text messaging, video calling, and connecting in person.
Can I have my kids back any time?
Yes. Because you maintain complete custody of your child(ren), you can ask for them to be returned to you at any time.
Why does Bethany provide these services?
No parent should be alone. Safe Families volunteers have the passion and heart to support families going through a difficult time. Parenting is tough, and we can all use extra support from time to time.
How will my child(ren) get to school?
Safe Families relies on volunteers to provide transportation to and from school, if needed. The goal is to make sure children remain in their current school. Sometimes, Safe Families can work with the school to get school-provided transportation.
Will my child(ren) be safe?
Yes. Each Safe Families volunteer goes through an approval process, which includes completing an application, background checks, and reference checks. For some roles, finger printing and home safety assessments are completed. Safe Families volunteers have a heart and passion to support families and are not compensated.
How do I qualify for Safe Families services?
Safe Families is a free service to parents who are going through a difficult time, such as unemployment, homelessness, hospitalization, rehabilitation, or incarceration. Please call your local Safe Families chapter for more information to see where we provide support.

Support when you need it most
When a crisis strikes, many parents rely on relatives and friends for support. But for some parents, this isn’t enough — or isn’t an option.
Safe Families strengthens and supports families by listening to parents, connecting them to supportive relationships, and sharing resources. No family should feel alone.
“Sometimes I don’t think people understand how hard it is to be a single mom. I love my kids. I didn’t want to do this alone. It’s so hard sometimes to get everything done … to work full time … when the kids are sick. I’m so glad Safe Families helped me. I wish there was something I could do in return.”
“I am not alone anymore. I never knew God would love me and my children so much, through so many wonderful people.”
Safe Families is not foster care
Understand the key differences between foster care and emergency care.
No courts are involved
In foster care, children are placed into homes through the court system. In Safe Families, parents voluntarily place children into safe homes.
Different reasons for hosting
With foster care, the courts remove a child from their home, often because of abuse or neglect. With Safe Families, parents voluntarily seek a safe place for their child due to a number of reasons including an unexpected illness, homelessness, or the lack of extended family support.
Shorter length of stay
While it may vary, the average length of stay in Safe Families is 30 days, whereas foster care can be closer to a year. This temporary care for children gives parents time to re-establish stability in their homes so the family can be reunited — stronger than ever.
Find a safe home for your children
Shanelle’s experience with Safe Families
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