A Guide to Emergency Foster Care

When a child experiences abuse, neglect, or sudden changes in their family circumstances, emergency foster care provides a safe space and a short-term solution until a more permanent arrangement can be made. This guide will tell you what emergency foster parents do, and how you can support foster children in need of emergency care.

What is Emergency Foster Care?

Emergency foster care provides a safe home for children who cannot stay where they are. When a child’s safety, stability, or care is suddenly at risk, emergency foster parents step in so that the child has a secure and supportive place to stay.

These situations often involve abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, but they can also happen when a parent is hospitalized, arrested, or facing a sudden crisis that leaves no one available to care for the child.

Unlike traditional foster care, emergency foster care is meant to be short term. The goal is to make sure a child is safe while caseworkers determine the next step, whether that means reunification with family, placement with relatives, or moving to a longer-term foster home. Some emergency placements last only a few days, while others can continue for several weeks or a few months depending on the circumstances.

Emergency placements can happen at any time, including late at night, and foster parents are often contacted on very short notice. In some cases, a newborn may need a foster home directly from the hospital if there is no safe caregiver available.

When do emergency placements happen?

Emergency placements happen when a child must be removed from their current situation right away to protect their safety and well-being.

This can happen if a parent is suddenly hospitalized, an arrest leaves a child without a caregiver, domestic violence escalates in the home, or a family experiences a crisis such as the death of a parent or loss of housing.

While protection from abuse or neglect is a common reason for removal, there are many situations where emergency foster care may be needed. A current caregiver might no longer be able to meet a child’s needs, or a temporary arrangement with relatives may unexpectedly fall through. When that happens, child welfare agencies must quickly find a safe and appropriate place for the child to stay.

Key Reasons Children Need Emergency Foster Care:

Immediate safety concerns
When there are serious concerns about abuse, neglect, or violence in the home.

Sudden caregiver emergencies
If a parent or guardian passes away, is hospitalized without warning, or is taken into custody, a child may be left without anyone able to care for them.

Breakdown of temporary arrangements
A kinship or trusted caregiver may face health issues, housing restrictions, financial strain, or other unexpected challenges that make it impossible to continue providing care.

Dangerous or unlivable housing
Fires, severe damage to a home, or other hazards make a living space unsafe for a child.

Unexpected placement changes
If a current foster home or care setting can no longer provide the support a child needs, a new placement may need to be arranged right away.

Who Can Be An Emergency Foster Parent

Emergency foster parents must be adults who are able to provide a safe, stable home for a child on very short notice. In most areas, applicants must be at least 21 years old, pass comprehensive background checks, and demonstrate that they have the stability and capacity to care for a child in crisis.

People who become emergency foster parents may be single adults, couples, or families. They can be homeowners or renters, as long as their home has enough space for a child and meets safety standards. Retired adults with the time and energy to care for a child can also qualify.

Because emergency placements happen quickly, flexibility is essential. Foster parents may receive a call from an agency asking if they can accept a placement the same day, sometimes within hours or during the night. Children arriving in emergency foster care may be overwhelmed, frightened, or processing trauma after being separated from their mother, father, or siblings. Emergency foster parents must be patient, calm, and able to provide immediate reassurance and stability.

Emergency Foster Care Requirements

Before someone can accept an emergency foster placement, several emergency foster care requirements must be completed to ensure the home is safe and prepared.

Background checks
All adults in the household must pass criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and screenings for child abuse or neglect.

Training and certification
Prospective foster parents complete required training that covers trauma-informed care, emergency placement procedures, and CPR or first-aid certification.

Home assessment
A licensing worker or county agency conducts a home inspection to confirm the home meets safety standards and has appropriate sleeping arrangements and space for a child or sibling group.

Documentation and approval
Applicants must submit references, paperwork, and agency forms and receive official approval before accepting a foster care placement.

Application Steps to Become an Emergency Foster Parent

To join the emergency foster care program:

1. Attend informational sessions with your local agency.
2. Complete required emergency foster care training.
3. Submit home study materials and references.
4. Complete background checks for adults in the household.

Once approved, you are ready to provide short-term care and impact a child’s life in meaningful ways.

How Emergency Placement Works

When a child needs emergency care, emergency foster parents receive a call through their agency. The call explains the child’s circumstances, age, and urgent needs.

Once accepted, the emergency foster parent must:

• Prepare the home for a short-term stay, ensuring a safe place for sleeping and belongings.
• Complete immediate intake paperwork with a caseworker.
• Schedule medical, court, and other necessary appointments for the child.

Timing is crucial. Emergency placements often require a rapid response, and foster parents must be ready to answer the call night or day, sometimes with little notice.

Before an Emergency Placement

Preparation makes the difference for short-term foster care. Consider:

• An emergency placement checklist for essentials like clothing, toiletries, and comfort items.
• A rapid contact list including agency staff, medical providers, and family support.
• Designated spaces in the home where foster children can feel safe and comfortable.

Having these ready ensures emergency foster parents can provide stability immediately.

During an Emergency Placement

Once a child arrives, emergency foster parents should:

• Quickly establish a safe sleeping area.
• Complete all intake paperwork with the caseworker.
• Schedule initial medical and court appointments.

It’s important to remember that even a short-term placement can be life-changing for a child experiencing neglect or trauma.

After an Emergency Placement

When the child moves to a long-term placement or permanent home, the emergency foster parent should:

• Document belongings and handoff notes.
• Debrief with the assigned foster care worker.
• Transfer records and update the child’s file.

This process ensures continuity and that the child receives consistent care.

Preparing Your Home and Family for Short Term Care

A well-prepared home can ease the transition for foster children.

• Create a short-term foster care supply kit with clothing, bedding, and hygiene items.
• Designate a quiet space for the child to feel secure.
• Brief household members on emergency routines and expectations.

A prepared home shows foster children that even in sudden changes, they are entering a supportive and safe home.

Support, Resources, and Community for Emergency Foster Parents

No emergency foster parent is alone. Support includes:

• Local organizations that provide emergency supplies.
• Online support groups for foster parents to share advice and encouragement.
• Mental health resources for foster children, helping them process trauma and build resilience.

Being part of a community ensures that foster parents can care for a child while also maintaining their own well-being.

Setting Boundaries, Self-Care, and Dealing With Attachment

Even though emergency foster parents offer short-term care, it’s essential to:

• Define emotional limits before accepting placement.
• Schedule self-care routines to prevent burnout.
• Support siblings during placements to maintain family connections.

Even though emergency foster parents provide short-term care, a few boundaries make the experience healthier for everyone involved. It helps to define your emotional limits before accepting a placement so you know what you can realistically handle. Regular self-care routines are also important to prevent burnout, especially when placements happen with little notice. When siblings are involved, making an effort to support those relationships can help children maintain an important sense of connection during a difficult time. Healthy boundaries like these help foster children feel secure and supported while they are in your home.

When to Accept or Decline an Emergency Placement

Before saying yes to an emergency placement, take a moment to assess your home and family. Make sure you truly have the space and capacity for the child, or more, if siblings need to stay together. Ask about the child’s age, whether siblings are involved, and any immediate needs they may have. It’s also important to confirm that you can manage urgent appointments, transportation, or other requirements that may come with the placement.

Assess your home and family before answering a call:

• Confirm you have space and capacity for the child or three kids.
• Check age range, siblings, and immediate needs.
• Verify that you can accommodate urgent appointments and special requirements.

It’s okay to decline if your home cannot meet a child’s immediate needs—safety and stability come first.

Practical Tips for Managing Short-Term Foster Care

• Prepare a rapid meal plan for arrivals.
• Provide comfort items for abrupt transitions.
• Keep a portable binder with child records for foster care placement continuity.

Short-term foster care often moves quickly, so simple preparation can make a big difference. Having a basic meal plan ready can help when a child arrives late at night or during a busy week. Small comfort items—like a soft blanket, stuffed animal, or simple welcome kit—can help ease the stress of a sudden transition. Many experienced foster parents also keep a portable binder with important documents, appointment notes, and records so information stays organized if the child moves to another foster care placement. Even small gestures help children feel secure in emergency care.

Measuring Impact and Continuing Involvement

Emergency foster care may be temporary, but the impact can last much longer. Some foster parents keep notes about placements and outcomes so they can understand how their support helped during a difficult moment in a child’s life. Staying in touch with caseworkers and requesting updates—when appropriate—can also provide closure. Many families continue helping by offering respite care or remaining available for future short-term placements, ensuring that another child has a safe place to land when a crisis happens.