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Become a foster parent

Change a life. Brighten a future.

Start your foster care journey today.

Apply Now

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The critical need for foster families

Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani Featured on NBC Connecticut CT LIVE

There’s a tremendous need for foster families in Connecticut. Wheeler’s Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani, director of Foster Care Programs, explains more in an NBC Connecticut CT LIVE segment.

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Home. Homework. Hope.

A Wheeler Foster Parent Story

A WTNH News 8 story highlights one of our amazing foster parent couples and the critical need for foster families in Connecticut, as well as our innovative platform, Binti, which we use to communicate with the individuals and families we serve.

The need for foster families is greater than ever.

Wheeler's Foster Care Program Featured on "For the People"

Wheeler’s Allison Casinghino, senior foster care specialist, was recently featured on Connoisseur Media Connecticut’s “For the People” public affairs show, where she discussed the critical need for foster families for youth.

Listen to the interview here.

Take an Inspiring Foster Training Class: Next One Starts in Fall 2026

We invite caring and committed individuals and families to begin the journey toward becoming a licensed foster home Connecticut, and we offer training to help families get started.

This comprehensive course will prepare you to become a licensed foster parent in Connecticut; provide an overview of the Wheeler FFT therapeutic model; provide practical tools, guidance, and ongoing support; offer an overview of the foster care system and the needs of children in care; and connect participants with a community of dedicated parents and professionals.

Training comprises eight sessions. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

Learn more. Call our Foster Care team at 860.793.7277 or email FosterCarePrograms@wheelerclinic.org

How it works: FAQs

Get in touch with our team, and we'll put you on the path to fostering with extensive training, support, and a team approach during every part of your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How we support you

Our caring team supports you and your family during every step of your process. We start with a pre-service training, followed by a home study, matching and more.

Email Us

Start your journey

Get started today by applying online. We'll be in touch quickly, and we'll engage you in pre-service training as well as other forms of support. We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply Now

"There is a huge need for foster parents and absolutely no reason a child should not be in a home."

John and Brian

Foster parents for 27 years

See all stories of hope

Support every step of the way.

Loving Homes Needed Now More Than Ever

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Ready to change a child’s life?

You can make a difference in the life of a child or youth in your community. Open your home. Open your heart. Make a meaningful change today.

Call us Apply Now

Other approaches

Supporting youth and caregivers

Wheeler also offers other supports that ensure youth in the foster care system and their caregivers are set for future success

Healing trauma and strengthening parent-child bonds through expert support

Rebuilding Families, Restoring Hope

Reunification and Therapeutic Family Time Services (R&TFTS) is a strengths-based program that supports and reconnects families who have been separated as a result of trauma, child abuse or neglect. The program offers reunification services delivered by a team of clinicians and counselors and includes family reunification readiness assessments, child and family preparation for reunification, parent coaching and case management services.

Fact Sheet

Kinship Support

Raising Resilience, Together

ConnectiKIN (C-KIN) provides connections, supports, and resources needed to raise resilient children who thrive. Kinship caregivers provide comfort, familiarity, and stability when a child needs it most. It’s a vital, challenging role to help ensure caregivers can access resources and services they need to succeed.

Fact Sheet

Helping launch to success

Transition Support for Young Adults

An individualized, evidence-informed program model that provides young adults in foster care the support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. TSEA pairs a highly trained specialist with each young person to help identify and accomplish goals. Specialists meet with the young adults in person at least once a week wherever the young adult feels comfortable i.e. the young adult’s home, place of employment, school or a community setting.

Article: Racing to the Finish Line