Winnebago County Foster Care

07/09/2026

Today is the day! Join us for story books and crafts at the Neenah Public Library. we look forward to seeing you and answering your questions about foster care licensing!

07/08/2026

Winnebago County foster care program is actively recruiting for an Emergency Resource Home, which is a foster home that is available 365 days a year to accept children on an emergency, short-term basis.
This is a contracted foster home, with a base rate of $29,200.00 per year plus 14 days of paid vacation per calendar year. The base rate is paid for being available to accept a child at any time throughout the year. When a child is placed out of home on an emergency basis, there is an additional subsidy given for the care of the child.
If you are interested in becoming an emergency resource home or would like to learn more about what being an emergency resource home entails, please contact Lisa Pendleton at [email protected] or at (920) 236-4658.

07/07/2026

Just like chocolate, foster families come in all kinds of varieties- sweet, comforting, and uniquely special. Whether they're offering a listening ear, a safe place to call home, or encouragement during a difficult time, foster families bring warmth and care which can make all the difference in a child's life.

Today, while we enjoy some delicious chocolate, we remember the incredible foster families who share their hearts with children and youth in need.

Thank you for making the world a little sweeter every day!

07/06/2026

HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY! You are invited to meet with our placement resource team for our upcoming event! Bring the whole family for storytime and crafts and learn about fostering and how you can make a difference!

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and happy 4th filled with family, friends, and memorable moments.

07/02/2026

💙FOSTER PARENT SPOTLIGHT! 💙
We have an incredible team of foster families we get to work with every day who welcome children into their hearts and homes. We celebrate our families who have committed to fostering, and we would like to shine a light on those who shine on others.

Meet the Kramer family!

Heather and Karl Kramer have been fostering with Winnebago County for nearly two years. As you can see, they are a joyful, BIG family! Here is what the Kramer's say about their decision to foster:

"Our intention behind fostering is to stand in the gap when kids are out of home and need a safe place to land. Our prayer would be that families would be restored and kids reunited with parents. From experience we know that this is the place that kids long to be… we also know from experience that this is not a simple solution or even a realistic goal. We will be there for as long as we can.

Our heart has always been to have an open door to those in need. Yes this is messy and hard. Our family looks different than we would have envisioned 20 years ago. But we have grown and changed so much in those past 20 years and we are ultimately so grateful for the kids God has placed in our family whether through birth, adoption or fostering. We want our lives to mean so much more than a clean house, material possessions or simplicity we can all crave in an organized home void of chaos!"

Sometimes people ask our foster coordinators how fostering impacts the children of the foster parents. Here is what Heather and Karl have to say:

"Fostering has taught our children to look outside of themselves. Share their toys, space and time. They’ve had the opportunity to show empathy to someone else and see firsthand how hard life can be. We have a unique opportunity to show love 24 hours a day."

Here is what the Kramer's want others to know about foster care:

"One wish we have is that more families would open their homes and families to kids in need. You are shaping the course of a child’s life. Shifting their outlook from hopelessness to one of hope."

We asked Heather and Karl, what is something they would tell their past selves about fostering. Here's what they say:

"So many things in life don’t matter…. This little person matters. Everything else can wait. Take time to sit, go for a walk, or play with that child."

If you are interested in knowing more about foster care, we would love to share how you can make a difference. Contact us by email or phone!

[email protected]
920-236-4658

06/26/2026

Once upon a time, a family opened their hearts and home to children in need... except it's not fiction! Join us for story time and crafts and learn about foster care. We welcome you to bring your families and your questions. Members of our placement resource team look forward to meeting you!

06/25/2026

Winnebago County is updating its strategic plan, and we want your input. Take our short community survey (open now through July 10) and help shape priorities for the years ahead. https://forms.office.com/r/v60zTvgUXw

Winnebago County is updating its strategic plan, and we want your input. Take our short community survey (open now through July 10) and help shape priorities for the years ahead. https://forms.office.com/r/v60zTvgUXw

06/24/2026

Winnebago County foster care program is actively recruiting for an Emergency Resource Home, which is a foster home that is available 365 days a year to accept children on an emergency, short-term basis.

This is a contracted foster home, with a base rate of $29,200.00 per year plus 14 days of paid vacation per calendar year. The base rate is paid for being available to accept a child at any time throughout the year. When a child is placed out of home on an emergency basis, there is an additional subsidy given for the care of the child.

If you are interested in becoming an emergency resource home or would like to learn more about what being an emergency resource home entails, please contact Lisa Pendleton at [email protected] or at (920) 236-4658.

06/23/2026

When case workers ask foster parents to take a placement, here are some examples of questions the foster parents may ask to gather the essential information about the child. Sometimes the case workers won't know every answer, but they will work to get the answers as quickly as possible.