New Research Reveals Barriers Holding Families Back from Foster Parenting

Children's Home Society of North Carolina white paper shows how clarity and support can help more families move forward

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:05pm

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A new white paper from the Children's Home Society of North Carolina (CHS) has revealed key insights into why many families who express interest in foster parenting never take the next step. The study, conducted in partnership with Eastcoast Research and supported by the Winston-Salem Foundation, found that while interest in foster parenting is high, families are more likely to move forward when they have information, feel supported, and understand what to expect throughout the process.

Why it matters

The findings from this research challenge a common assumption that families don't want to foster. Instead, it shows that many families hesitate due to financial concerns, confusion about the licensing process, emotional readiness, and misinformation. By addressing these barriers and providing families with the clarity, support, and connection they need, child welfare agencies can expand the pool of loving foster homes and create better outcomes for children across North Carolina.

The details

The study gathered feedback from residents in central North Carolina, primarily in Forsyth County. It found that nearly three-quarters of respondents said fostering could be a possibility in their future, and 39% expressed direct interest in becoming foster parents. The top motivations to foster were values-driven, including making a difference in a child's life, mentorship, and giving back to the community. However, the most common reasons families hesitate to move forward were financial concerns, confusion about the licensing process, emotional readiness, and misinformation.

  • The white paper was released on April 1, 2026.

The players

Children's Home Society of North Carolina (CHS)

A trusted partner for more than 120 years, CHS works to promote the right of every child to safe, permanent, and loving family by strengthening families and communities across North Carolina. CHS provides adoption, foster care, family preservation, parenting support, and youth services.

Becky Alley

The Chief Marketing Officer at CHS.

Eastcoast Research

The research partner that conducted the study in collaboration with CHS.

Winston-Salem Foundation

The organization that supported the study.

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What they’re saying

“Families across North Carolina care deeply about children in foster care and want to help. What this research helps us understand is where families get stuck and how we can better support them through clarity, consistency, and connection.”

— Becky Alley, Chief Marketing Officer, Children's Home Society of North Carolina

“These findings challenge a common assumption. It's not that families don't want to foster. It's that many don't feel fully prepared or supported to take the next step. Our responsibility as foster care agencies is to meet families with transparency, simplify the process, and show them they will not be doing this alone.”

— Becky Alley, Chief Marketing Officer, Children's Home Society of North Carolina

“When families feel informed, supported, and connected, they are far more likely to move forward. This reinforces what we see every day in our work at CHS: trust is built through relationships, and those relationships help families open their homes to children who need them most.”

— Becky Alley, Chief Marketing Officer, Children's Home Society of North Carolina

What’s next

CHS hopes the findings will inform its own efforts and strengthen foster parent recruitment across North Carolina, serving as a resource for child welfare agencies, community partners, and advocates statewide and beyond.

The takeaway

This research highlights the importance of providing families interested in foster parenting with clear information, emotional support, and a strong sense of community. By addressing common barriers and misconceptions, child welfare agencies can help more families take the leap and open their homes to children in need.