Fostering or fostering to adopt is a complex and emotionally demanding journey. Many prospective foster parents struggle with the decision of whether to work directly with the county welfare system or with a foster family agency (FFA), like Holy Family Services (HFS). Luis and Rebecca, foster parents working with HFS, shared their experience, revealing why partnering with HFS proved to be a far better option than navigating the county system alone.
Luis and Rebecca initially chose foster adoption because they couldn’t have biological children and felt that fostering to adopt would complete their family. Their journey began with high hopes, but they quickly realized the challenges of working with the county welfare system. While the county provides essential services, communication with their county social worker proved to be a major frustration. “The process is very slow, and the social workers are not responsive. We’ve been in the same place for over two and a half years,” they shared.
By contrast, their experience with HFS has been a lifeline. HFS offers consistent, reliable support that the county system lacks. “With HFS, we always had someone to call—even after hours,” Rebecca explained. Having someone like Betty, their FFA social worker, meant they were never left alone to navigate the system, especially during tough times. This personalized guidance helped Luis and Rebecca stay resilient when the county system’s lack of responsiveness caused unnecessary delays
and stress.
Navigating the child welfare system independently can feel overwhelming. In contrast, FFAs like HFS provide families with stability and experienced guidance throughout the entire fostering process. Luis and Rebecca noted that HFS staff knew them and their children personally, which created a strong, supportive relationship. “Everyone at HFS knows our kids. They understand our case and have our backs,” they said.
Luis and Rebecca pointed out that while the county’s focus is on reunification, which sometimes leads to prolonged placements, FFAs are better equipped to support families whose goal is adoption. This helps families like theirs feel less alone and more empowered to advocate for their children’s best interests.
Another key advantage of working with an FFA is their ability to alleviate the administrative burden that foster parents face. While the county expects foster parents to handle a multitude of appointments, meetings, and phone calls, FFAs provide much-needed support in coordinating these tasks. “Both of us have full-time jobs, so the constant need to attend appointments during working hours was overwhelming,” said Luis. HFS’s flexibility and understanding of their schedules made it easier for them to balance careers and foster parenting responsibilities.
For Luis and Rebecca, partnering with an FFA like HFS made all the difference in their fostering journey. The county may provide necessary services, but without strong communication and personalized support,
the experience can become frustrating and disheartening. By contrast, FFAs offer consistent guidance, advocacy, and a strong support network—key elements that can transform the fostering journey from overwhelming to empowering.
Their advice to prospective foster parents? Choose an agency that will be there for you every step of the way. “We recommend HFS to anyone considering fostering or fostering to adopt,” Luis and Rebecca concluded.
