Foster Parent Training
That Works Around
Your
Choose your schedule. Learn at your pace. Start your fostering journey.
We Work Around Your Schedule
Most training programs expect you to rearrange your life to fit their schedule. We do the opposite.
Season Options
Feb 19–Apr 16
May 21–Jul 16
Aug 20–Oct 15
Your Choice
10 am - 12 pm or
6 pm - 8 pm
Fully Virtual
No commute, no childcare scramble, log in and learn.
2 Hour Sessions
Short sessions that respect your time and keep you engaged.
What You'll Learn in NTDC Training
National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) is the required training to become a certified foster parent. Fostering can look different for every family, and this training helps you understand your options.
Children in foster care have often experienced trauma, loss or instability. This training helps you understand how trauma affects the way kids think, feel and act — and gives you practical tools to respond with compassion instead of frustration. You'll learn what's behind challenging behaviors and how to create a safe, healing environment.
Fostering doesn't mean putting your life on hold. You'll explore how fostering works alongside your current family dynamics, routines, and commitments. Whether you have biological children, pets, a full-time job or other responsibilities, we'll help you understand how fostering can realistically fit into your life.
Every child is different, but all kids in foster care need stability, safety, and someone who shows up for them. You'll learn about the emotional, physical and developmental needs of children and teens in care and how you can provide the support that helps them heal and thrive.
Fostering isn't one-size-fits-all. You'll learn about different placement types (emergency, short-term, long-term, respite) and age ranges (infants, school-age, teens). This helps you make an informed decision about what type of fostering feels right for your family or if now isn't the right time.
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Can't make these dates? Contact us and we'll let you know when the next session opens.
You Won't Do This Alone
Mentor Program
Get paired with an experienced foster parent who can answer questions and share real experiences.
Quarterly Support Groups
Join virtual peer support sessions starting in July, led by our home finders.
FAQs
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Not at all. NTDC is designed to help you explore fostering without any pressure or commitment. It's a chance to learn what fostering involves, ask questions, and decide if it's the right fit for your family. There's no obligation to move forward after training.
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Life happens—we get it. If you miss a session, just let us know and we'll work with you to make it up. You can join a makeup session or catch up with materials from the class you missed. We're here to make this work for your schedule.
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No. NTDC training is completely free. All materials, resources, and support are provided at no cost to you.
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You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of West Virginia. That's it! Whether you're single, married, renting, or own your home—you're welcome here. We'll walk you through any additional certification requirements during training.
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Absolutely. We encourage partners and spouses to attend together. Fostering is a family decision, and it helps to go through training as a team. You're both welcome in every session.
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Once you finish NTDC, you'll have a clear understanding of what fostering looks like and what's required to become certified. If you decide to move forward, we'll guide you through the next steps—home study, background checks, and final licensing. You'll also be connected with a mentor and ongoing support from our team.
"KVC has changed our lives tremendously. If I never found KVC, or that man who was willing to facilitate those fostering classes, I would not be a parent."
Read the full story here.
Michele Sweeney Foster Parent & Adoptive Mom