Free, compassionate support for your family
Build a stronger family and safer home with local support.
Whether you’re expecting a child, parenting on your own, or facing a hard season, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
- Cost: 100% free/grant-funded
- Format: In-person, virtual, or in-home one-on-one sessions
- Eligibility: Varies by program and location. Connect with your local Bethany to learn more.
FAQs
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Yes. Eligible parents and caregivers can participate in Strengthening Families and other parenting education services at no cost, thanks to grants and donor support.
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Requirements vary by court and location. Some Bethany parenting classes may meet court requirements. Contact your local branch to confirm eligibility and ask about a certificate of completion.
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No. Our Christian faith motivates us to serve with love and compassion. You’re welcome to receive family support, parenting education, and crisis care, delivered with the highest professional standards, regardless of your religion, race, ethnicity, or background.
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When a family faces a temporary crisis, to minimize risk and prevent harm, parents voluntarily allow a Safe Families host to care for their children while they take steps toward stability. Foster care requires verified abuse or neglect and involves a court order for the child’s removal.
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Program length depends on your goals and the options available near you. Many one-on-one programs last 6–12 weeks, with weekly 60-minute sessions offered in person, online, in your home, or in another community setting.
Find support near you. Connect with a local Bethany team ready to walk alongside your family.
Foster parent support
“Bethany equips foster parents with trauma-informed training and reliable support networks.” Support: Bethany trained, licensed, and walked alongside Bridgette, a former youth in foster care. Outcome: Bridgette became a foster parent to provide a stable home for teenage girls. — Bridgette | Foster parent and advocate
Emergency hosting
“Bethany matched us with a host family so I could work through challenges without losing my son to foster care.” Support: Amber provided safe, temporary care for Adrian while Thalia found housing and stability. Outcome: Thalia created a strong home environment for Adrian, and because Hilary was there, he never entered foster care. — Thalia | Safe Families participant
Crisis hosting
“They gave my son a safe home while helping me secure employment, housing, and daycare.” Support: Hilary cared for Vanessa’s son while she connected with local resources. Outcome: Vanessa secured work, housing, and child care so she could safely parent her son. — Vanessa | Safe Families client
Build parenting skills with trusted guidance
Learn one-on-one with a specialist who understands your family’s goals.
Choose practical tools that fit your family. You can learn about newborn care, sleep safety, feeding, child development, managing emotions, positive discipline, budgeting, stress management, and creating steady routines at home.
A safe place during a hard season
Choose temporary care for your children while you take your next steps.
If you’re facing housing changes, a medical emergency, or another hard season, Safe Families for Children can connect you with a screened host family. In this voluntary program, your child receives safe, loving care while you work toward stability.
Support for foster and adoptive parents
Gain practical tools, caring community, and support for every season.
Caring for a child who has experienced trauma can bring unique challenges. You can access ongoing education, peer support, and consultation to strengthen connection, build trust, and help your family grow together.
Walking alongside families for more than 80 years
Experienced care shaped by faith, compassion, and proven practices.
Bethany’s accredited programs combine deep experience with compassionate care. Last year, more than 47,000 children, parents, and caregivers connected with support through Bethany and our partnerships with child welfare agencies, hospitals, churches, and community organizations.
