Resources for Families & Children
A curated list of organizations, hotlines, and services available to foster youth, foster parents, and families in need throughout Michigan.
Online Resource Guide
Start here to search for help across housing, food, and assistance programs.
The Information Center
An online guide that helps anyone in need search for resources such as housing, food, food banks, holiday assistance, and more. A great first stop for any kind of assistance.
Visit siteMichigan 2-1-1
Free, confidential service connecting Michiganders to essential health and human services — food, housing, utilities, health care, and more. Available 24/7.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
Learn how to get started and where to find support along the way.
Michigan Foster Care
In Michigan there are roughly 14,000 children in foster care and 300 children still waiting for an adoptive family. Learn how you can help through MDHHS’s Hope for a Home program.
Visit siteFoster Care Navigator
Whether you’ve fostered for years or are just inquiring about becoming a foster parent, the support of a Navigator is invaluable as you find your way through the system.
Visit siteThe Power of One Caring Adult
Every kid is one caring adult away from a success story. A reminder of the difference a single committed person can make in a child’s life.
Visit siteThrough the Eyes of a Child
Before she was an inmate, Michelle Voorhees was a kid in foster care. She paints a vivid picture and asks you to imagine the harrowing experience of being removed from your own home.
Read storyInterested in Adoption?
Organizations that connect waiting children with forever families.
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)
M.A.R.E. is here to help you achieve your family’s adoption goals and to introduce you to some of the children who are waiting for a permanent home.
Visit siteMichigan Heart Gallery
A photo listing that helps Michigan youth in foster care find their forever homes. Meet the children who are waiting to be adopted.
Visit siteUnderstanding Michigan’s Adoption Program
An overview of how adoption works through MDHHS. Open your heart and your home — learn what the process looks like and how to begin.
Visit siteHelp for Parents
Support, education, and specialty resources for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.
Fostering Forward Michigan
Michigan’s statewide foster, adoptive, and kinship parent coalition. Have a problem or a question? They can help.
Visit sitePre-Placement & Time-of-Placement Questions
A list of questions you may want to ask before agreeing to a placement, from the Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parent Association.
Open guideMichigan Alliance for Families
Support and education for special education services, connecting families to the information and advocacy they need.
Visit siteMichigan Youth Opportunity Initiative
Helps young people in foster care reach successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement, and health.
Visit siteCommunity Mental Health (CMH) Services
A statewide directory of Community Mental Health Service Programs (CMHSP) for residents who need behavioral health support.
Visit siteConfabulation: When Lying Isn’t Lying
A conversation with Nate Sheets on confabulation — understanding why a child may say something untrue without intending to deceive.
Learn moreKinship Care Resource Center
Resources for family members who are raising a relative’s child, from Michigan State University.
Visit siteDisability Rights Michigan
Represents the rights of children and adults with disabilities in Michigan. Download a free, comprehensive advocacy manual.
Visit siteFamilies Affected by FASD
More resources and community support for families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Visit siteFASD Toolkit
A community-generated media campaign about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, created by and for the American Indian community.
Visit siteFASD Success Show
Listen in to the latest episodes for expert tools, resources, and the support you need.
Visit siteFASD for Medical & Counseling Professionals
An easy-to-share handout on neurobehavioural profiles you can take along to appointments.
Open handout5 Things You Need to Survive as a Foster Parent
Good tips to remember — practical encouragement for the day-to-day realities of fostering, from Dr. John DeGarmo.
Read articleMuslim Foster Care Association
Support for Muslim foster parents and for Muslim children in foster care.
Visit siteFaith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
Faith communities across Michigan that take on projects benefiting children and youth in foster care.
Visit siteThe Neighbors Project
Connecting neighbors who care with families who need support in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties.
Visit siteMichigan Training Opportunities for Parents
Conferences and education to grow your skills as a caregiver.
Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Parent Conference
A free, statewide, must-attend conference held every year. To receive MDHHS training conference announcements, email Monica S. Jackson, Statewide Adoptive and Foster Parent Recruitment & Retention Coordinator.
Michigan Alliance for Families
Support and education for special education services, including training for parents navigating the school system.
Visit siteTrauma-Informed Videos for Foster Parents
Some of the best free videos for understanding trauma and supporting healing.
The Post Institute
Free videos every foster, adoptive, and kinship parent should watch:
Cognitive Supports
Formerly Oregon Behavior Consultants. Specializes in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, developmental disabilities, and cognitive skills — with free videos all foster, adoptive, and kinship parents should watch.
Watch videosChildren in Crisis
Former Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley studied how trauma and toxic environments impact the way children learn.
Learn moreFacebook Support & Resource Pages
Online communities where foster and adoptive families connect.
Foster Care and Adoption
A nationwide community of foster and adoptive parents sharing support and encouragement.
Open pageMI FASD
Parents, clinicians, advocates, and services connected to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Michigan.
Open groupHoliday & Other Stuff for Your Kids
Gifts, activities, and seasonal support for children in care.
Toys For Tots
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, directed by the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, with the assistance of his staff.
Request a toyBig Family of Michigan
Support for foster families during the holidays and throughout the year.
Visit siteFriends of Foster Kids
Free Christmas gifts. Requests must come directly from your DHHS caseworker between August and October. If licensed with a private agency, have your caseworker contact your child’s assigned DHHS monitor to apply.
Visit siteMarie Antoinette Program
“Let Them Eat Cake” assists struggling families by giving Michigan kids something special, just for them.
Visit siteRenew Charities
For families with low income, provides family dinners and toys to help with Christmas.
Visit siteKids Skate Free
Find a participating skating center near you — or ask your local rink to sign up.
Visit siteMichigan Summer Camps
Camps for children in foster care across the state.
Champions for Life
Free, religious-based camp. Referrals can also be made through Macomb County DHHS.
Visit siteCamp Ozanam
Free, religious-based. Campers need not be Catholic but must go through a local Catholic Church with a St. Vincent de Paul Conference. You can also call SVdP at 1-877-788-4623 (#2, #5).
Visit siteCollege & Other Teen Resources
Scholarships, handbooks, and programs for older youth and those aging out of care.
Comfort Case Scholarships
Awards scholarships supporting the academic and vocational goals of youth in foster care.
Visit siteFostering Success Michigan
Comprehensive resources and inspiration for youth and alumni of foster care.
Visit siteMichigan Youth Opportunity Initiative
Helps young people in foster care reach successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement, and health — a great opportunity for your teen to earn money just by participating.
Visit siteFoster Youth in Transition
A handbook for youth in foster care, covering rights and resources as they move toward independence.
Open handbookMichigan Career & Technical Institute
MCTI is one of the most progressive public vocational rehabilitation residential training facilities in the U.S., with strong training and job-placement success.
Open catalogTuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Any child who received Medicaid for a qualifying period of time may be eligible for tuition assistance.
Visit siteWayne State University CHAMPS
A college access and retention program for youth ages 18–26 who have aged out of the child welfare system.
Visit sitePELL & Other Scholarships
Youth who aged out of foster care, or were adopted out of care after age 13, are considered automatically independent on the FAFSA — often a zero expected family contribution, which can qualify them for a full Pell Grant.
Learn moreBlavin Scholars
Supports students who have experienced foster care or compromised family situations with a $5,000 scholarship, one-on-one coaching, and a U of M mentor — addressing exposure gaps, teaching life skills, and connecting students to campus resources.
Visit siteAdoptive Family Resources
Post-adoption support, education, and financial resources for families.
Post Adoption Resource Center
Providing support and resources every step of the way after adoption.
Visit siteAdoptive Family Support Network
A statewide parent-to-parent program providing post-adoption support, education, and resources to families across Michigan.
Visit siteState of Michigan Adoption Subsidy Office
Financial resources available to families after adoption.
Visit siteCrisis Support & Reporting Abuse
If a child or family is in crisis, help is available 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential crisis support, 24/7 by call or text. Trained counselors provide immediate help for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
Report Child Abuse & Neglect
Michigan’s 24/7 statewide hotline (Centralized Intake) for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. You can report anonymously, and trained staff respond to every call.
Downriver Foster Closet
1753 Ford Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192 · Mon–Sat by appointment