Foster Care

We provide loving, Christian homes for children in foster care through licensing and equipping families to care for children who desperately need stability and hope.

More than 16,000 children in Florida are removed from their homes each year due to abandonment, abuse, and neglect. They need loving and stable homes. By becoming a foster parent, you can help bring children from lives of crisis to lives of belonging and love.

Ready to take the next step in your foster care adventure?
Sign Up for a virtual Information Session
Call Us at 1.855.512.4453
Request More Information

People like you are changing children’s lives by opening their homes and their hearts.

We have foster care offices throughout the state with expert and compassionate staff members who are ready to help you take the next steps to being a foster parent.

GET INVOLVED

Watch our Foster Care: 101 Video Series

The need for foster families is growing, and One More Child’s Foster Care: 101 series provides an introduction to fostering. This six-part video series covers the basics, eligibility, financial aspects, and available support for foster families. It aims to inspire viewers to open their homes and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Topics include the need for foster parents, who can foster, the support offered, and the costs involved. The series equips you with the knowledge and confidence to begin your foster care journey.

Sign-up to Attend an Info Session

Join us for information sessions every Tuesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. EST to learn about becoming a foster parent. One More Child offers compassionate support through local offices, helping you navigate the steps to becoming a foster parent. Topics covered include the length of time children stay in foster care, choosing the age of children to foster, financial support available, and how fostering with One More Child differs from other agencies. As a faith-based organization, we provide additional resources, including donations, church support, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

Apply to Live in a Foster Family Home

In addition to the option to care for foster children in your own home, we have opportunities around the state for licensed foster parents to live rent-free in homes maintained by One More Child. Through our innovative Foster Family Home model sibling groups get to stay together in these multi-room, fully furnished homes and individuals who do not currently have the space or accommodations to care for several foster children have all they need to succeed.

Become a Foster Parent

When you open your heart and your home to children who have endured trauma, you make it possible for them to hope and dream again. We have requirements prospective foster parents must meet, and to become licensed, individuals must go through 5-7 training classes, pass a background test and have their home inspected. Our staff provides ongoing support and encouragement for those who are sharing the love of Christ in this powerful and life-changing way.

Start a Foster Crew

Not ready to become foster parents? We still need your help! Become a Super Sitter, Household Helper, Meal Maker, or Prayer Partner to provide support and encourage foster families!

Foster Crews are a creative and resourceful way for you and your church to wraparound those families with love.

We train you to manage your Crew, and we provide ongoing support to help you connect the skills and gifts of people in your church with the needs of local foster families.

Start giving foster families the support they need by starting a Foster Crew at your church today. Contact us for more information.

Meet our passionate and empowering leader.

Melissa Poole

Vice President of Program Operations

Melissa Poole serves as Vice President of Program Operations for One More Child. She has worked with One More Child for more than 16 years, previously serving as the Executive Director of Foster Care Ministries and the North Florida Administrator and the Director of Community Ministries.

Melissa has been a Certified Behavior Analyst in the state of Florida since 1993 and has also been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida since 1995. She is also a qualified supervisor for counselors seeking licensure. Melissa has nearly 30 years of experience working with children, youth and families in crisis and has received specialized training in trauma-informed care as well as infant mental health.

Melissa is a member of Chets Creek Church and volunteers in the preschool ministry. She has been married to Ray Poole since 1991 and has a daughter and stepson, Hannah and Blake, along with two grandsons and one granddaughter, Addison, Colton and Kennedy.

Contact Melissa

Phone: 904.721.2711

Are you ready to be a foster parent?

Contact Us Today
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