Foster Care Facts: Busting the 5 Most Common Myths

In every community, there are children navigating uncertainty—waiting for stability, support, and care. We honor their resilience and recognize the foster parents, professionals, and supporters who walk alongside them. But to truly support children in care, we must first understand the system they’re part of—and that means letting go of some long-standing misconceptions.

Here are five common myths about foster care and the truth that replaces them.

Myth #1: “Foster parents are only in it for the money.”

Truth: Foster parents do receive a stipend, but it’s intended to cover the basics—like food, clothing, and transportation—not personal income. Foster parenting isn’t a financial gain; it’s an emotional and practical investment. Their time, energy, and love are their biggest contributions. Many foster families use their own resources to go above and beyond in meeting the needs of the children in their care.

Myth #2: “Children in foster care are bad or damaged.”

Truth: Children in care have often experienced trauma, neglect, or loss—things that no child should face alone. Their behaviors may reflect that pain, but they are not “bad.” Like all children, they need compassion, structure, and consistency to feel safe and grow. They are resilient, strong, and deserving of patience and understanding.

Myth #3: “Foster care is just a pathway to adoption.”

Truth: Foster care is about supporting families in crisis and helping children. While adoption can be one outcome, the primary goal of foster care is reunification with the child’s birth family whenever it is safe and appropriate. Foster parents play a key role in this process by offering a stable environment while families work toward reunification.

Myth #4: “You have to be married, wealthy, or own a big home to foster.”

Truth: Foster parents come from all walks of life. Single adults, renters, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with modest incomes can all qualify to foster. The most important criteria are stability, compassion, and the willingness to learn and grow alongside the children in their care.

Myth #5: “I could never foster—I’d get too attached.”

Truth: Attachment is actually a good thing. Children in foster care need healthy, loving relationships. While saying goodbye can be hard, the love you give—even temporarily—can have a lasting impact. Supporting a child through a difficult chapter in their life is a powerful act of kindness.

Why the Truth Matters

Misinformation keeps good people from getting involved and isolates those already doing the work. When we replace fear and judgment with understanding and support, we create a stronger, more compassionate community for children in care.

Whether you choose to foster, volunteer, or simply advocate for accurate information, your voice matters.

Resources and Support

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or looking for resources on how to support the foster care community, click here or visit Adopt US Kids.

For more resources and support on becoming a foster parent visit Ohio’s Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Care page. To view volunteer and mentorship opportunities in Franklin County visit, Franklin County Children’s Services.

The Center for Family Safety and Healing also offers services for children in foster care. The Fostering Connections Program is a specialized care clinic that offers comprehensive healthcare services to children and adolescents placed in foster or out-of-home care. This program streamlines access to behavioral health and developmental services and other providers, which enables children to receive the care they need in an efficient and timely manner. The care coordination and the support offered to foster, and kinship caregivers provides treatment that is tailored to the specific needs of the children being served.