Foster Care
Foster care provides children with a temporary home and family when their parents are unable to meet their needs and keep them safe. Some reasons a child may be removed from his / her biological home include:
- Child’s significant mental health or medical need
- Child’s uncontrollable or delinquent act
- Emotional abuse
- Incarceration or hospitalization of parent
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
More Information
For additional information on becoming a licensed foster parent in Wisconsin, go to Wisconsin Department of Health Services Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center or contact the St. Croix County Alternate Care Coordinator at 715-246-8218 or the Access Line at 715-246-8260.
Voices of Foster Care
Explore local stories that highlight the positive impact of fostering in St. Croix County. Hear from local families and individuals about their experiences, the joys and challenges they’ve faced, and the transformations they’ve witnessed.
The Nygaard Family
Gaelin Elmore
The Larson Family
“After receiving the gift of life through a kidney transplant, I knew I had to use my second chance for something meaningful. Becoming a foster parent gave me that purpose. I’ve opened my home to children in need—offering love, stability, and a safe place to heal. Watching a child arrive heartbroken and slowly find their smile again has shown me what is truly important in life.”
- Rob Mooney
“We always had this feeling that there were empty seats at our table—both literal and figurative. At the same time, we knew there were kids out there who had never even been invited to a table. That thought stayed with us. Our son Landry, who is also adopted, has one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever encounter. Watching the way he loves so freely and fully reminded us that family isn’t about matching—it’s about belonging.”
- Larson Family
“Fostering is personal for me—my mom was in care when I was born. I’ve seen how a supportive foster home can change a life, and I wanted to be that safe place for someone else. St. Croix County has been a constant source of guidance and encouragement throughout this journey, always ensuring we have the resources and support we need.”
- Anonymous
“Being a foster parent has changed my family’s life. It’s helped us appreciate each other in ways I could never have explained without experiencing this journey. Fostering has been one of the most challenging, yet most rewarding, experiences of our lives. We are so grateful to have helped some kiddos through some of their hardest days.”
- Anonymous
“Our journey began with adoption in mind, but it evolved into a broader commitment to supporting children in need. By continuing foster care, we've been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many kids, even if adoption wasn't the final chapter for every child who entered our home.”
- Klintworth Family
“We just concluded our time with our first foster child, and what a joy it was to witness reunification with their parents—what a gift for both the parents and the child. We’re grateful to have been able to offer support, stability, and nurture the spirit of love within the foster child’s heart, as well as within our own family, during this time of care.”
- Anonymous
“Being involved with foster and respite care gives us the ability to contribute to the community without sacrificing time with my family.”
- Nelson Family