Choosing the right foster agency is a key decision when you are considering becoming a foster parent, and this guide outlines some of the best foster agencies in Mississauga to help you decide your next step.
Whether you are new to foster care or comparing agencies, this article provides a clear, practical overview of your options so you can move forward prepared.
What Is a Foster Agency and What Does It Do?
A foster agency is responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting foster parents while ensuring children and youth placed in care receive safe, stable, and appropriate homes. In Ontario, foster agencies work closely with Children’s Aid Societies to match children with foster families who can meet their specific needs, whether those needs are medical, emotional, behavioural, or developmental.
Beyond placement, foster agencies provide ongoing oversight and hands-on support. This typically includes training, regular home visits, 24/7 on-call assistance, and coordination with schools, therapists, and community services. As a foster parent, your agency becomes your primary source of guidance and advocacy, helping you navigate challenges while focusing on the day-to-day care of the child in your home.
Why We Made This List
The demand for foster homes in Ontario continues to grow, and many prospective foster parents are unsure where to begin or how to compare agencies. We created this list to give you clear, practical information that helps you take the next step with confidence, without needing to piece together details from multiple sources.
By focusing on foster agencies that serve Mississauga and surrounding areas, this guide is meant to save you time and reduce uncertainty. Each agency listed here offers a different approach to foster care, and understanding those differences can help you find the organization that aligns with your values, capacity, and long-term goals as a foster parent.
Foster Agencies in Mississauga
Mississauga is served by several foster agencies, each with its own areas of focus, support models, and expectations for foster parents. While all agencies are committed to child safety and well-being, the level of training, specialization, and hands-on support can vary, which is why choosing the right fit matters.
Here are the foster agencies we’ll be covering in this article:
| Foster Agency | Overview |
| 1. Safe Harbours
Website: https://www.safeharbours.ca/ Address: 517 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 3L7 |
• High-support foster care for children and youth with complex needs
• Strong trauma-informed and relationship-based care model • Extensive training, coaching, and ongoing support for foster parents • Focus on placement stability and long-term outcomes • Emphasizes partnership and hands-on guidance throughout the fostering journey |
| 2. Key Assets Ontario
Website: https://keyassetson.ca/ Address: Mississauga, Ontario (head office; street address not publicly listed) |
• Non-profit foster care and child & youth services provider
• Therapeutic foster care with structured behavioural and clinical supports • Focus on achieving lasting, positive outcomes for children and families • Comprehensive training and professional development for caregivers • Province-wide service delivery with wraparound supports |
| 3. Carpe Diem Foster Care
Website: https://www.carpediem.ca/ Address: 9355 Dixie Rd, Brampton, ON L6S 1J7 |
• Therapeutic foster care for children with emotional and behavioural needs
• Strong emphasis on routine, structure, and consistency • Child-centred planning focused on stability and permanency • Province-wide placements, including the Peel Region • Philosophy centred on helping children heal and build trust |
| 4. Bridgeway Family Homes
Website: https://www.bridgeway.ca/ Address: PO Box 253, Stn Main, Cobourg, ON K9A 4K8 |
• Long-standing provider of specialized foster and treatment homes
• Trauma-informed care for children and youth with complex needs • 24/7 on-call support and supervision for foster parents • Access to clinical services, academic coaching, and life-skills development • Licensed by Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services |
| 5. Wraparound Foster Care
Website: https://www.wraparoundfoster.ca/ Address: 47 Queen St S, Mississauga, ON L5M 1K5 |
• Specialized foster care for children with intellectual disabilities and complex needs
• Highly individualized care plans and daily programming • Sensory-aware, structured home environments • Focus on life skills, self-regulation, and communication supports • Ongoing training and accountability for foster caregivers |
1. Safe Harbours (that’s us)
Address
517 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton, Ontario L8V 3L7
Areas Served
We support foster families in Mississauga, across the Peel Region, and throughout much of Southern Ontario, working closely with local child welfare partners to meet placement needs as they arise.
About
We are a foster care agency dedicated to supporting children and youth with complex needs, including trauma histories, mental health challenges, and previous placement instability. Our work is grounded in the belief that strong outcomes for children depend on well-prepared and well-supported foster parents. We invest heavily in training, direct support, and relationship-based practice so foster parents are never left to manage difficult situations on their own. As a foster parent, you work closely with a consistent team that understands both the child’s needs and the realities of fostering.
Overview
- High-support foster care for children and youth with complex needs
- Trauma-informed and relationship-based care model
- Extensive pre-service training and ongoing coaching
- 24/7 on-call support and crisis response
- Strong focus on placement stability and long-term outcomes
Inquire About Becoming a Foster Parent
2. Key Assets Ontario
Address
Mississauga, Ontario (head office; street address not publicly listed)
Areas Served
Key Assets Ontario provides foster care services across Mississauga and many regions throughout Ontario, supporting placements in both urban and rural communities.
About
Key Assets Ontario is a non-profit foster care and child and youth services provider with a strong emphasis on therapeutic care and clinical oversight. Their model is structured and outcomes-focused, combining foster placements with professional support to address emotional and behavioural needs. Foster parents working with Key Assets can expect clearly defined expectations, regular training, and access to professional guidance designed to support stability and progress for children in care.
Overview
- Non-profit foster care provider
- Therapeutic foster care with clinical involvement
- Structured behavioural and emotional supports
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Province-wide service delivery
Visit Key Assets Ontario’s Website
3. Carpe Diem Foster Care
Address
9355 Dixie Road, Brampton, Ontario L6S 1J7
Areas Served
Carpe Diem Foster Care serves Mississauga, the Peel Region, and multiple communities across Ontario.
About
Carpe Diem Foster Care focuses on providing therapeutic foster homes for children and youth with emotional and behavioural challenges. The agency emphasizes consistency, routine, and thoughtful planning as tools to help children feel safe and supported. Foster parents are encouraged to create predictable home environments while working closely with agency staff to address challenges and support long-term stability.
Overview
- Therapeutic foster care for emotional and behavioural needs
- Strong emphasis on routine and consistency
- Child-centred and permanency-focused planning
- Training and guidance for foster parents
- Placements across multiple Ontario regions
Visit Carpe Diem Foster Care’s Website
4. Bridgeway Family Homes
Address
PO Box 253, Station Main, Cobourg, Ontario K9A 4K8
Areas Served
Bridgeway Family Homes supports foster placements in Mississauga and across Ontario.
About
Bridgeway Family Homes is a long-established provider of specialized foster and treatment homes for children and youth with higher and more complex support needs. The agency offers foster parents access to clinical services, supervision, and round-the-clock assistance. This model is well suited to caregivers who are open to more intensive fostering and who value working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Overview
- Specialized foster and treatment homes
- Trauma-informed care approach
- 24/7 on-call support for foster parents
- Access to clinical and therapeutic services
- Academic and life-skills support for youth
Visit Bridgeway Family Homes’ Website
5. Wraparound Foster Care
Address
47 Queen Street South, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 1K5
Areas Served
Wraparound Foster Care serves Mississauga and surrounding communities within Ontario.
About
Wraparound Foster Care specializes in supporting children and youth with intellectual disabilities and complex developmental needs. The agency works closely with foster parents to design individualized care plans that address daily routines, communication, and emotional regulation. Foster parents receive targeted training and ongoing support to help maintain structured, sensory-aware home environments.
Overview
- Specialized foster care for intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Individualized care plans tailored to each child
- Sensory-aware and structured home environments
- Focus on daily living and self-regulation skills
- Ongoing training and accountability for foster parents
Visit Wraparound Foster Care’s Website
How Do You Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent in Mississauga?
Becoming a foster parent in Mississauga starts with choosing a licensed foster care agency and reaching out to begin the intake process. Once you connect with an agency, you can expect an initial conversation to discuss your interest, availability, and the types of placements you may be open to. This step helps ensure there is a good fit between you, the agency, and the needs of children currently requiring care.
From there, the process typically includes an application, background checks, a home study, and mandatory training. Training covers topics such as child development, trauma, behaviour support, and the day-to-day realities of fostering. Throughout the process, agencies assess not just your home, but your readiness, support system, and capacity to provide a safe and stable environment. While the steps require time and commitment, the goal is to prepare you fully before a child is placed in your care.
Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent with Safe Harbours
We believe that foster parents play a critical role in helping children and youth heal, grow, and experience stability, and we take our responsibility to support you seriously. When you foster with us, you are not expected to have all the answers from day one. We work alongside you, providing training, guidance, and hands-on support so you can focus on caring for the child in your home with confidence.
If you are considering becoming a foster parent and want to work with an agency that prioritizes preparation, ongoing support, and strong relationships, we invite you to take the next step with us. Reach out to learn more about fostering with Safe Harbours and start a conversation about how you can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.