Choosing a foster agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a prospective foster parent, because the agency you work with will shape your experience, your training, and the support you receive.
This article explains what foster agencies do and highlights trusted foster agencies in Hamilton to help you decide where to take the next step.
What Is a Foster Agency and What Does It Do?
A foster agency is responsible for recruiting, training, licensing, and supporting foster parents while ensuring children are placed in safe and appropriate homes. In Ontario, foster agencies work under provincial child welfare legislation and collaborate closely with Children’s Aid Societies to meet the needs of children and youth who cannot live safely with their families.
Beyond licensing, foster agencies provide ongoing guidance that prepares you for the realities of fostering, including trauma-informed care, behaviour support, and collaboration with caseworkers and schools. As you move through the process, your agency becomes your primary source of training, 24/7 support, and advocacy, helping you focus on what matters most: providing stability and care to a child in your home.
Why We Made This List
We created this list to give you clear, practical information that helps you take the next step toward becoming a foster parent in Hamilton. Many people feel called to foster but struggle to understand the differences between agencies or where to begin, and this guide is meant to remove that uncertainty.
At the same time, the need for foster parents in Ontario continues to grow, with more children and youth requiring safe, supportive homes. By highlighting established foster agencies in Hamilton, we aim to connect willing caregivers with organizations that can support them effectively and help meet this urgent community need.
Foster Agencies in Hamilton
Hamilton is served by a mix of private foster care agencies and Children’s Aid Societies, each with a specific role in the child welfare system. Some agencies focus on treatment or high-support foster care, while others are responsible for child protection investigations and placements within the city.
Here are the agencies we’ll be discussing in this article:
| Agency | Overview |
| Safe Harbours (that’s us)
Website: https://www.safeharbours.ca/ Address: 517 Upper Sherman Ave., Hamilton, ON L8V 3L7 |
• Licensed foster care agency supporting children and youth in need of safe, stable homes
• Strong focus on trauma-informed and relationship-based care • Comprehensive foster parent training and 24/7 ongoing support • Personalized matching process to support long-term stability • Emphasis on building confident, well-supported foster families |
| ERS Foster Care
Website: https://ersfostercare.com/ Address: Serves Hamilton and multiple Ontario regions (no single public Hamilton office listed) |
• Licensed treatment foster care agency serving children and youth up to age 18
• Specializes in placements for children with complex emotional or behavioural needs • Extensive foster parent training and professional supports • 24/7 on-call assistance and access to therapeutic services • Strong collaboration with caregivers and community partners |
| Hamilton Child and Family Supports
Website: https://hamiltoncfs.ca/ Address: 26 Arrowsmith Rd., Hamilton, ON L8E 4H8 |
• Hamilton’s Children’s Aid Society responsible for child protection and foster care placements
• Places children in foster homes when they cannot safely remain with family • Focus on family reunification, kinship care, and permanency planning • Provides education, home studies, and ongoing support to foster parents • Works closely with community and culturally responsive services |
| Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society
Website: https://hccas.ca/ Address: 735 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8M 1A1 |
• Faith-based child protection and foster care agency
• Guided by Catholic values while serving families of diverse backgrounds • Offers foster care and adoption services, training, and assessments • Provides emotional, practical, and pastoral support to foster families • Emphasizes holistic care that considers spiritual, cultural, and family needs |
1. Safe Harbours (that’s us)
Address
517 Upper Sherman Ave., Hamilton, ON L8V 3L7
Areas Served
Hamilton and surrounding communities across Ontario
About
We are a licensed foster care agency that works closely with foster parents to support children and youth who need safety, stability, and consistent care. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed, relationship-based practice, which means we prepare foster parents to understand behaviour through the lens of lived experience and loss. We place a strong emphasis on collaboration, clear communication, and ongoing support so foster parents are never navigating challenges on their own. From the first inquiry through every stage of fostering, we focus on building confidence, skills, and long-term stability for both caregivers and children.
Overview
- Licensed foster care agency operating in Ontario
- Trauma-informed and relationship-based care model
- Thorough pre-service training and ongoing education
- Individualized support with consistent worker involvement
- 24/7 on-call assistance for foster parents
- Thoughtful matching to promote placement stability
Inquire About Becoming a Foster Parent
2. ERS Foster Care
Address
Serves Hamilton and multiple regions across Ontario (no single public Hamilton office listed)
Areas Served
Hamilton and other Ontario communities
About
ERS Foster Care is a licensed treatment foster care agency that supports children and youth with higher emotional, behavioural, or developmental needs. Their program is structured around treatment plans and close coordination with professionals, including clinicians and child welfare partners. Foster parents working with ERS typically receive clear expectations, frequent guidance, and access to specialized resources, making this agency a strong option for caregivers who are comfortable working within a more clinical or treatment-focused framework.
Overview
- Licensed treatment foster care agency
- Serves children and youth with complex needs
- Emphasis on structured care and treatment planning
- Regular training and professional consultation
- 24/7 on-call support for foster parents
Visit ERS Foster Care’s Website
3. Hamilton Children’s Aid Society
Address
26 Arrowsmith Rd., Hamilton, ON L8E 4H8
Areas Served
City of Hamilton
About
Hamilton Children’s Aid Society, operating as Hamilton Child and Family Supports, is responsible for child protection services within the city. In addition to investigating concerns about child safety, the agency places children and youth into foster homes when they cannot safely remain with their families. Foster care through the Children’s Aid Society is closely connected to court processes, family support work, and permanency planning, with a strong focus on reunification or kinship care whenever possible.
Overview
- Local Children’s Aid Society for Hamilton
- Mandated child protection authority
- Places children in temporary foster homes
- Focus on safety, family support, and permanency
- Provides training, home studies, and ongoing support
Visit Hamilton Child and Family Supports’ Website
4. Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society
Address
735 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8M 1A1
Areas Served
Hamilton and surrounding areas
About
Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society is a faith-based child protection agency guided by Catholic values while serving families from diverse backgrounds. The agency provides foster care and adoption services and integrates spiritual and cultural considerations into its work where appropriate. Foster parents with this agency receive training, casework support, and access to additional pastoral or community resources, offering a holistic approach to caring for children and supporting families.
Overview
- Faith-based child protection agency
- Provides foster care and adoption services
- Guided by Catholic social values
- Ongoing training and foster parent support
- Emphasis on holistic care for children and families
Visit Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society’s Website
How Do You Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent in Hamilton?
Becoming a foster parent in Hamilton starts with choosing a licensed foster care agency or Children’s Aid Society and reaching out to learn more about their process. Once you make contact, you can expect an initial conversation to discuss your interest, availability, and the types of placements you may be suited for. This early step helps ensure there is a good fit between you, the agency, and the needs of children in care.
From there, the process typically includes training, a home study, background checks, and ongoing preparation. While the steps are thorough, they are designed to support you, not screen you out. Throughout the process, agencies provide guidance so you understand expectations, feel prepared for the realities of fostering, and have access to support once a child is placed in your home.
Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent with Safe Harbours
We know that deciding to foster is a meaningful commitment, and we believe foster parents thrive when they feel supported, informed, and respected from the very beginning. We work alongside you through every stage of the process, offering clear communication, practical training, and ongoing support so you are never left to manage challenges on your own. Our focus is on building strong, stable foster homes where children can feel safe and cared for.
If you’re ready to take the next step or simply want to learn more, we invite you to reach out and start a conversation with us. Becoming a foster parent can change a child’s life, and it can be a deeply meaningful experience for you as well. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence and purpose.