Fostering teens is a unique opportunity to make a life-changing impact, especially for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At RISE Services, Inc. Arizona, we see firsthand the crucial need for caring foster parents willing to open their homes to youth. Yet, finding a foster family for teenagers remains one of the most difficult challenges in the foster care system.

The Barriers Teens Face in Foster Care

Across the United States, teens are among the hardest individuals to place in foster care. Several factors contribute to this challenge. Potential foster parents may feel they’re not equipped to handle the complexities of adolescence, or are influenced by the myths surrounding teens in foster care.

Teens themselves often move between placements, making it harder to build supportive relationships. For individuals with IDD, the pool of available placements shrinks further due to the need for understanding and well-prepared foster families.

Supporting Teens with IDD

About one in five youth in foster care has IDD. These young people are at increased risk for instability and often wait longer for supportive homes. They’re more likely to experience multiple home placements, mental health struggles, and difficulties accessing specialized supports.

Foster parents who open their homes to teens can give them the stability and encouragement they need to build independent, fulfilling lives. This support can help them:

• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Make meaningful connections and reduce loneliness
• Gain easier access to resources
• Feel a sense of security

RISE Arizona Can Help

Becoming a foster parent for teens can seem daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. RISE Services, Inc. Arizona is committed to supporting foster families through specialized training, 24/7 support, and ongoing education geared toward fostering children and teens with or without IDD. Our foster care service model is set up so that both teens and foster parents thrive in a family-centered environment.

If you want to learn more about foster parenting, contact RISE Arizona to get started. Your willingness to make a difference could change a teen’s future forever.