Becoming a foster parent in Quebec

Guide verified: October 2026

In Quebec, the official term isn't "foster parent" but famille d'accueil — and legally, ressource de type familial (RTF). It's the most structured model in Canada: foster families are considered self-employed workers covered by a collective agreement negotiated with the government.

At a glance: responsible body — Santé Québec (policy: Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux), youth protection via the DPJ in each of the 22 CISSS/CIUSSS. Official term: famille d'accueil (RTF). Basic amount: $34.71/day effective April 1, 2026, tax-free.

1. Can you foster?

The basic requirements, everywhere in Quebec:

Be 18 or older.
Live in Quebec and offer a stable, safe, healthy home.
Be available to meet the needs of a child placed by the DPJ.
Accept the psychosocial assessment (interviews, home visit) and criminal background checks for all adults in the home.
Complete the required training from your CISSS/CIUSSS.

You don't need to be a couple, own your home, or already have children: single people and renters can be recognized as foster families.

2. The steps, one by one

First contact — Reach out to the resources (familles d'accueil) department of your region's CISSS/CIUSSS (use the lookup tool on the home page). They'll explain the process and open your file.
Information session — An overview of the role, expectations, and the collective agreement.
Assessment — Interviews with a social worker, home visit, background checks.
Training — Required training program before or during recognition (content varies by institution).
Recognition as an RTF — You sign the agreement with the institution: you're officially a ressource de type familial.
Matching — Based on your availability and children's needs, a first placement is proposed.

Realistic timelines: generally a few months from first call to recognition, depending on your region and how fast the checks go.

3. Training

Each CISSS/CIUSSS requires preparatory training (content and length vary — ask your coordinator for the exact program). Quebec also emphasizes ongoing training throughout the placement. Topics mirror the PRIDE program used elsewhere in Canada: attachment, grief and loss, positive discipline, working with birth families, effects of trauma.

4. Payments: what you actually receive

In Quebec, RTF compensation has two parts, both tax-free:

The daily basic-expenses amount: food, clothing, housing, regular transportation. It rises to $34.71 per day effective April 1, 2026 (CSN collective agreement, December 2025).
Support/assistance compensation: recognizes your caregiving work. The 2025 agreement provides gains of about 17.4% over 5 years on this part.

Supplements may apply for a child's special needs (specialized care, exceptional transportation, etc.). Ask your institution for details: every situation is assessed individually.

Source: FSSS-CSN — foster families collective agreement (December 2025). Re-verify amounts before any decision: see our payments page.

5. Types of care in Quebec

Regular care — medium- or long-term placement.
Emergency care — rapid availability, short stays.
Respite — temporary care giving another foster family a break.
Banque mixte — Quebec's foster-to-adopt track: the foster family may adopt the child if they become eligible for adoption.
Kinship placement — an extended-family member or significant person cares for the child.

6. How to apply, by region

Apply through your region's CISSS/CIUSSS — use the lookup tool on the home page to find yours. Some entry points:

Montreal — 5 CIUSSS (Centre-Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest, Centre-Ouest). E.g.: CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal
Quebec City (Capitale-Nationale) — CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale
Estrie — Santé Estrie (CIUSSS de l'Estrie)
Abitibi-Témiscamingue — CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Your local CLSC can also point you to the right service.

7. FFARIQ — your association

The Fédération des familles d'accueil et ressources intermédiaires du Québec (FFARIQ) represents about 2,300 families across 9 regions. It negotiates the collective agreement and defends your interests: ffariq.org.

8. Indigenous pathways

In Quebec as elsewhere in Canada, the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families sets a placement priority favouring extended family and community. Indigenous organizations offer adapted pathways — ask your CISSS/CIUSSS or a local Indigenous friendship centre.

Official sources

Last verified: October 2026