Foster care in Toronto is built around a shared responsibility between Children’s Aid Societies and licensed foster agencies, all working to keep children safe when they cannot live at home.
This article highlights some great foster agencies in Toronto, so you can make an informed decision before starting the foster parent approval process.
What Is a Foster Agency and What Does It Do?
A foster agency recruits, trains, and supports foster parents while coordinating care for children who cannot safely live at home. These agencies work closely with Children’s Aid Societies and the provincial child welfare system to place children in homes that meet their emotional, cultural, and developmental needs.
As a foster parent, you are never expected to do this work alone. A foster agency provides mandatory training, completes home studies and licensing, and offers ongoing guidance once a child is placed with you.
Many agencies also provide access to clinical support, respite care, and 24/7 on-call assistance. This structure allows you to focus on day-to-day caregiving while professionals handle case planning, coordination with schools and therapists, and communication with child welfare authorities.
Just as important, foster agencies help match children with homes where they are most likely to succeed. Some specialize in complex or therapeutic placements, while others focus on culturally or faith-based care. Choosing the right agency means choosing the kind of fostering experience you want and the level of support you expect.
Why We Made This List
We made this list to give potential foster parents clear, practical information about the organizations that open and support foster homes in Toronto.
Many people want to foster but struggle to understand the differences between agencies, the level of support they provide, and how each one fits into the child welfare system. We believe informed decisions lead to stronger foster placements and better outcomes for children.
We also made this list because there is a real and ongoing shortage of foster homes across Toronto. Children are staying in temporary settings longer than they should simply because there are not enough approved homes. By clarifying options and reducing confusion, we hope more people feel confident taking the first step toward fostering.
The Best Foster Agencies in Toronto
Toronto offers a wide range of foster agencies, each with a distinct mandate and approach to care. Understanding these differences helps you choose an agency aligned with your values, capacity, and interests.
Here are the foster agencies we’ll be covering in this article:
| Foster Agency | Overview |
| Safe Harbours
Website: https://www.safeharbours.ca/ Address: 517 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 3L7 |
• Well-rounded foster care agency serving Ontario
• Trauma-informed care alongside mainstream placements • Strong training, preparation, and ongoing guidance • 24/7 on-call support for foster parents |
| Milestone Foster Homes
Website: https://milestonefosterhomes.ca/ Address: 3365 Harvester Rd, Suite 201, Burlington, ON L7N 3N2 |
• One of Ontario’s largest private foster care providers
• Individualized and culturally responsive placements • Structured support for children with higher needs • Ongoing guidance and professional oversight |
| Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Website: https://www.torontocas.ca/ Address: 30 Isabella St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1N1 |
• Primary child protection authority in Toronto
• Investigates safety concerns and coordinates foster care • Strong focus on reunification and permanency • Multiple offices across the city |
| Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Website: https://torontoccas.org/ Address: 2206 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M1L 4S7 |
• Faith-informed foster care and child protection services
• Welcomes foster parents from diverse backgrounds • Emphasis on family-based, long-term stability • Training, financial, and therapeutic supports |
| Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
Website: https://nativechild.org/ Address: 30 College St, Toronto, ON |
• Indigenous-led child welfare organization
• Focus on kinship and customary care • Culturally grounded foster placements • Emphasis on identity, healing, and community |
| Jewish Family & Child Services
Website: https://www.jfandcs.com/ Address: 4600 Bathurst St, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON M2R 3V3 |
• Foster care rooted in Jewish tradition and community
• Strong wraparound and on-call support • Emphasis on cultural and religious continuity • Community-based programming and resources |
1. Safe Harbours (that’s us)
Address
517 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 3L7
Areas Served
We serve foster families and placements across Ontario, including Toronto, the GTA, and surrounding communities.
About
At Safe Harbours, we support foster parents who want to provide stable, practical care to children and youth with a wide range of needs. While we are known for trauma-informed care, our work is intentionally well-rounded. We support both everyday foster placements and more complex situations, always with a focus on safety, consistency, and long-term outcomes.
We work closely with you from the beginning. That means clear training, realistic conversations about fostering, and ongoing support once a child is placed in your home. Our team stays involved throughout each placement, helping you navigate care plans, school coordination, and challenges as they arise. If you are looking for an agency that combines structure, flexibility, and steady communication, we aim to be a reliable partner.
Overview
- Well-rounded foster care model
- Trauma-informed care as one of several core capabilities
- Placements for children and youth with varying needs
- Thorough foster parent training and preparation
- Ongoing case management and 24/7 on-call support
Inquire About Becoming a Foster Parent
2. Milestone Foster Homes
Address
3365 Harvester Rd, Suite 201, Burlington, ON L7N 3N2
Areas Served
Milestone Foster Homes works with foster parents across Ontario, including Toronto and the surrounding regions.
About
Milestone Foster Homes is one of the largest private foster care agencies in the province. The agency supports a broad range of placements and is known for its structured approach to care, particularly for children and youth who need clear routines and consistent supervision.
Foster parents with Milestone are carefully matched with placements based on experience, household capacity, and preferences. The agency provides ongoing oversight and guidance, making it a good fit if you want a clear framework while still having room to build strong relationships with the children in your care.
Overview
- Large, established private foster care provider
- Structured placements for children with higher needs
- Individualized and culturally responsive care planning
- Ongoing professional oversight and guidance
- Collaboration with child welfare and clinical partners
Visit Milestone Foster Homes’ Website
3. Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Address
30 Isabella St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1N1
Areas Served
The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto serves children and families throughout the City of Toronto.
About
The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto is responsible for child protection in the city. The agency investigates concerns about child safety and provides foster care placements when children cannot remain safely with their families and kinship options are not available.
Fostering through the public child welfare system often involves supporting children during periods of transition. There is a strong emphasis on reunification with family when possible, alongside permanency planning. Foster parents work closely with caseworkers and are an essential part of the broader child welfare team.
Overview
- Primary child protection authority in Toronto
- Foster placements for a wide range of ages and needs
- Strong focus on reunification and permanency
- Support for kinship and family-based care
- Multiple offices across the city
Visit the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto’s Website
4. Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Address
2206 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M1L 4S7
Areas Served
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto serves Catholic families and the wider Toronto community.
About
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto provides child protection and foster care services guided by Catholic values. While faith-informed, the agency welcomes foster parents from diverse backgrounds who are committed to providing stable and nurturing homes.
The agency places strong emphasis on family-based care and long-term stability. Foster parents are supported through training, financial assistance, and collaboration with agency staff throughout each placement.
Overview
- Catholic faith-informed foster care services
- Family-based placements focused on stability
- Training and financial supports for foster parents
- Emphasis on permanency planning
- Collaboration with families and community partners
Visit the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto’s Website
5. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
Address
30 College St, Toronto, ON
Areas Served
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto serves Indigenous children and families across Toronto.
About
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is an Indigenous-led organization providing child welfare and foster care grounded in Indigenous culture, traditions, and community relationships. The agency prioritizes kinship care, customary care, and placements that preserve a child’s connection to their community.
The organization plays a critical role in supporting Indigenous children’s identity, healing, and long-term well-being within the child welfare system.
Overview
- Indigenous-led child welfare services
- Focus on kinship and customary care
- Culturally grounded foster placements
- Emphasis on identity, healing, and community
- Multiple service locations across Toronto
Visit Native Child and Family Services of Toronto’s Website
6. Jewish Family & Child Services
Address
4600 Bathurst St, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON M2R 3V3
Areas Served
Jewish Family & Child Services serves the Jewish community across Toronto and surrounding areas.
About
Jewish Family & Child Services provides foster care and child welfare services grounded in Jewish values and community life. The agency prioritizes placing children with foster families who can support cultural and religious continuity, while also welcoming families at different levels of observance.
Foster parents benefit from strong wraparound support, community resources, and staff who understand the importance of cultural connection in caregiving.
Overview
- Foster care rooted in Jewish tradition and community
- Emphasis on cultural and religious continuity
- Strong wraparound and on-call support
- Community-based programming and resources
- Collaboration with families and community partners
Visit Jewish Family & Child Services’ Website
How Do You Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent in Toronto?
Becoming a foster parent in Toronto follows a clear, regulated process designed to ensure safety and readiness. While timelines vary, most applicants move through the same core steps.
You begin by contacting a foster agency or Children’s Aid Society to express interest. From there, you attend an information session that explains expectations, compensation, and the realities of fostering.
If you decide to proceed, the agency guides you through training, background checks, medical clearances, and a detailed home study that looks at your lifestyle, support system, and capacity to care for a child.
Throughout the process, agencies assess not whether you are perfect, but whether you are prepared, stable, and open to learning. You do not need to own a home, be married, or have parenting experience. What matters is your ability to provide consistency, follow care plans, and work as part of a professional team.
Once approved, placements are discussed collaboratively. You have the right to ask questions, set boundaries, and decline placements that are not a good fit. A strong agency will respect those decisions and prioritize long-term stability for both you and the child.
Sign Up to Become a Foster Parent with Safe Harbours
We are always looking for caring, capable people who are ready to open their homes to children who need stability and support. We provide high-touch guidance, strong advocacy, and ongoing support so you are never navigating foster care alone.
If you are ready to learn more, take the next step today and inquire about becoming a foster parent with Safe Harbours.