From CPS to Foster Care: One Couple's Journey to Say "Yes"

The path to foster care often begins long before a family ever opens their home. For Brendan and Chelsea, that path started at Chelsea's workplace.

Chelsea spent years working in case management at Child Protective Services (CPS), where she witnessed firsthand the urgent need for safe, loving homes for children in her community. Her work was meaningful, but she felt drawn to make an even greater impact. When she shared the stories with Brendan, he didn't hesitate. "I knew we could be a foster family," he told Chelsea.

The couple connected with PCHAS in March and started the verification process — training, paperwork, and assessment. During that time, they met the requirements to provide respite care (extended babysitting) and began helping other foster families right away.

As they finished credentialing as foster parents, they realized the sibling pair they'd been caring for temporarily needed a permanent home. Brendan and Chelsea knew they could be the safe, nurturing family these children needed, and officially welcomed them into their home for foster care in October — just two days after verification.

Foster care's goal is always to support families and, when possible, reunite children with their parents. For children who can't return home, families like Brendan and Chelsea provide the stability and love that every child deserves.

The rewards, they say, are visible every day. "You see the growth for these children over time," Chelsea shares. Simple things carry enormous weight: a spring break trip together, watching therapies begin to take hold, seeing two kids who have been through so much start to reflect something different. For Chelsea, there's an added layer of meaning — she now sees her years as a caseworker through a new lens, understanding the child's experience in a way no training could have taught her.

But fostering isn't without its hard days. The behaviors that come with trauma can be overwhelming, and Brendan and Chelsea are honest about that. "When kids are at their max, and you weren't responsible for the trauma, it's hard," Chelsea says. Their advice? Lean on your team, stay organized, and take it one day at a time. Chelsea believes a color-coded calendar doesn't hurt either!

When it came to choosing an agency, the couple did their research carefully. PCHAS stood out for its transparency, its accountability, and its people. "PCHAS doesn't try to hide anything," they said. "Brittanie and Charlene are genuine. They value you as part of the team and will be honest with you." Their caseworker, Stephanie, is so responsive, and the team's passion for protecting their foster families is something Brendan and Chelsea genuinely appreciate.

To anyone considering foster care, their message is simple: "You can trust PCHAS, trust their process, and trust yourself." And Chelsea adds, "Every kid is so different. Take it as it comes."

Brendan and Chelsea's journey started with respite and turned into something more. There are many ways to be family for a child who needs one, and PCHAS is ready to walk that journey with you. Connect with your Foster Care & Adoption Guide at fosteradopt@pchas.org or Join an Online Info Session to get started.