Learn About Becoming a Foster Grandparent Today

What Is a Foster Grandparent and How Does the Program Work

A Foster Grandparent is an older adult who volunteers with children and youth in their community, providing mentorship, emotional support, and companionship. The Foster Grandparent Program is a federally funded initiative that matches seniors with young people who need additional adult attention and guidance. Unlike traditional babysitting, Foster Grandparents work in structured settings such as schools, childcare centers, youth detention facilities, and community organizations.

According to the Corporation for National Service, which oversees the program, Foster Grandparents serve approximately 150,000 children annually through roughly 300 local programs across the United States. Volunteers typically work 15 to 40 hours per week, depending on the program and their availability. The relationship between a Foster Grandparent and the child they serve often develops into a meaningful long-term connection that can last several years.

The program operates through local agencies and nonprofit organizations that manage volunteer recruitment, training, and placement. When a Foster Grandparent volunteers through one of these local programs, they receive a small monthly stipend that is not considered taxable income in most cases. The amount varies by location but typically ranges from $200 to $400 per month, along with reimbursement for transportation costs and meals while volunteering.

Foster Grandparents work with children facing various challenges, including academic difficulties, behavioral issues, social isolation, or family instability. A Foster Grandparent might tutor a struggling reader, listen to a lonely child talk about their day, provide encouragement during difficult times, or simply spend quality time playing games and building trust. The role focuses on presence and relationship-building rather than formal instruction.

Practical takeaway: Understanding the Foster Grandparent role means recognizing it as a structured volunteer position with training and support, not an informal arrangement. Local program coordinators provide guidance on what to expect and how to work effectively with your assigned child or group.

Age Requirements and Who Can Become a Foster Grandparent

The Foster Grandparent Program generally looks for volunteers who are 55 years old or older. This age requirement reflects the program's focus on using the life experience and wisdom that mature adults bring to mentoring relationships. The program does not have an upper age limit—volunteers in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s actively serve in many communities.

Beyond age, the program seeks volunteers who demonstrate genuine interest in working with children and young people. You do not need professional experience working with youth, teaching credentials, or specialized training before you volunteer. Many Foster Grandparents come from diverse professional backgrounds—former teachers, accountants, nurses, factory workers, farmers, and homemakers all participate in the program.

The program does conduct background checks to ensure child safety. This process typically includes a criminal background review and may include checks for any history of abuse or neglect. Most people with minor criminal records can still volunteer, though serious offenses or substantiated abuse allegations would disqualify someone. The specific standards vary slightly by state and local program, so you would learn about these requirements when contacting your local program office.

Physical and mental health are considered, but not in a way that excludes many older adults. Volunteers should be able to perform the duties required by their assigned placement—for example, if working in a school, you should be able to sit with children and communicate clearly. Someone with mobility limitations could still serve in some settings, such as working with youth through phone mentoring or participating in programs adapted to their abilities. Local program coordinators work with volunteers to find placements that match their health status and capabilities.

Financial circumstances sometimes affect program participation. The Foster Grandparent Program sometimes offers lower-income individuals priority consideration for positions. Some programs target recruitment toward seniors living at or below certain income thresholds, though this varies by location. The stipend provided can help offset transportation costs and other expenses related to volunteering.

Practical takeaway: If you are 55 or older and interested in working with children, check with your local Foster Grandparent Program about their specific requirements. Most programs are willing to discuss what volunteering would look like based on your individual situation and health status.

Finding Your Local Foster Grandparent Program

Foster Grandparent Programs operate in all 50 states and serve urban, suburban, and rural communities. To find the program nearest you, start by searching the Senior Corps website (seniorcorps.gov) or contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging maintain information about volunteer opportunities and social services available to older adults in your region. You can locate your nearest Area Agency on Aging by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

You can also contact your local United Way office, community foundation, or volunteer center, as they often maintain lists of volunteer opportunities including Foster Grandparent Programs. Public libraries frequently have information about community volunteer positions. Senior centers and community colleges often know about Foster Grandparent Programs in their areas and may have recruitment materials available.

When you contact a local program, staff members can tell you about current openings and placements available in your community. They will explain the specific time commitment, the location where you would serve, the ages and circumstances of the children you might work with, and what training you would receive. Different placements have different needs—one program might need volunteers in an elementary school, while another might need volunteers working with foster children in a group home setting.

Program staff will discuss logistics like how often you would need to be present, what transportation is available, whether meals are provided at the volunteer site, and how the monthly stipend works. You can ask questions about the children or youth you would work with, what your daily activities might look like, and what support program coordinators provide to volunteers. This conversation helps both you and the program determine whether a particular placement would be a good match.

Some programs have waiting lists, especially in larger cities or during certain seasons. Once you contact a local program and express interest, you will go through a process that includes providing information about yourself, participating in an interview, undergoing a background check, and completing orientation and training sessions before beginning your volunteer work.

Practical takeaway: Start by visiting seniorcorps.gov or calling the Eldercare Locator to find contact information for Foster Grandparent Programs in your area. Speaking directly with a local program coordinator is the best way to learn what opportunities exist and whether volunteering fits your schedule and interests.

Training and Preparation for Foster Grandparent Volunteers

Each local Foster Grandparent Program provides training to prepare volunteers before they begin working with children. Training programs typically last one to three days and cover topics such as child development, communication skills, understanding trauma and behavioral challenges, mandatory reporting of abuse, and the specific policies of the organization where you will volunteer.

Training content often includes information about how children develop emotionally and socially at different ages. You might learn how a kindergartener's behavior differs from a teenager's, and how to respond appropriately to each age group. Training also covers how to listen effectively, how to set boundaries in a volunteer relationship, and how to respond when a child shares something concerning with you.

All volunteers learn about mandatory reporting laws, which require adults to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities. While this sounds serious, it essentially means understanding what signs of abuse or neglect look like and knowing the process for reporting concerns to your program coordinator or authorities. Training demystifies this requirement and explains that reporting protects children, not punishes families.

Many programs provide ongoing support and professional development throughout your volunteer tenure. This might include monthly meetings where volunteers share experiences and learn about new topics, individual check-ins with program coordinators, or access to written resources and guidance. Coordinators are available to troubleshoot challenges—if you are uncertain how to handle a situation with your assigned child, you can call the program office for advice.

The training process also includes learning about the specific placement where you will work. If you are volunteering in a school, you learn school procedures and classroom expectations. If you are working in a youth center, you learn about that center's programs and rules. This orientation helps you understand the environment and become part of the team at your volunteer site.

Practical takeaway: Plan for initial training time when you begin volunteering, and recognize that program coordinators continue to support you throughout your service. Training is designed to make you feel confident and prepared, not to overwhelm you with complicated information.

What a Typical Foster Grandparent Experience Looks Like

A Foster Grandpa