A Faith-Filled Calling, Not Just a Choice: Christian Foster Care in South Carolina
Right now, there are over 3,600 children in foster care in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). Many of these children are part of sibling groups, are teenagers nearing adulthood, or are infants placed in emergency care.

These children are not just numbers, they are sons and daughters made in God’s image.

At The Bair Foundation, we believe fostering is more than a role; it’s a ministry. It’s an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love in action by welcoming vulnerable children into homes rooted in faith, compassion, and consistency.

“The religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” – James 1:27

Breaking the Myths About Fostering in South Carolina
Before saying “yes,” I believed a lot of things that simply weren’t true. And I’ve come to find that many others do too.

Myth #1: Foster care is about “taking children away permanently.”

Truth: The primary goal is reunification. Foster families offer a safe, loving environment while biological families work toward restoration. You may be a temporary home, but the impact is eternal.

Myth #2: Foster children are always older with serious behavior issues.

Truth: Children of all ages enter foster care. While teens are the most in need, many foster placements are infants and young children. They are not broken, they are hurting. And they are ready to be loved.

Myth #3: You have to be perfect to be a foster parent.

Truth: God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. If your heart is willing, He will make a way.

Foster Care Options in South Carolina: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family
Foster care isn’t one-size-fits-all. At The Bair Foundation, we help you discover a role that fits your lifestyle and calling. Whether you feel led to foster long-term or in short seasons, there’s a place for you to serve.

Foster Care Options in South Carolina:

• Respite Care – Provide short-term relief for full-time foster parents.
• Emergency Placements – Welcome children on short notice in crisis situations.
• Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care – Support children with emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges.
• Teen Transition Support – Help teens ages 14–21 prepare for adulthood through programs like Chafee Independent Living and ETV (Education and Training Voucher).

South Carolina Foster Care Requirements: What You Need to Know

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Can be single, married, or cohabitating
• Must show financial stability (able to meet own needs without foster care reimbursement)
• Pass criminal background checks and fingerprinting
• Provide a safe, stable home with enough space for children
• Complete foster parent training classes
• Pass a home study (including interviews, references, and home safety inspection)
• Maintain good physical and mental health
• Be willing to work with the child’s family, DSS, and agencies toward permanency goals

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

“The Bair Foundation staff and other foster families became our support system. They were there every step of the way, with training, resources, prayer, and people who truly care.” – Bair Foster Parent

No matter where you live, Charleston, Columbia, or Greenville, The Bair Foundation is here to walk beside you with training, prayer, encouragement, and real-time support.

Fostering in South Carolina FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. What are the requirements to become a foster parent in South Carolina?
To become a foster parent in South Carolina, you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be willing to open your heart and home. At The Bair Foundation, we walk alongside individuals and families through every step of the process. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks, complete training, and demonstrate the ability to provide a safe and loving environment. Whether you’re single or married, renting or owning your home, God can use you to make a lasting difference in the life of a child.

2. Do I get to choose the age or type of child I foster?
Yes. At Bair, we believe it’s important to match children with families who can best meet their needs. Many children in foster care in South Carolina are school-aged or teens, and there is always a great need for families willing to step into those roles. During the licensing process, you’ll talk with our team about your preferences and strengths. We’ll help guide you so that the children placed in your home are a good fit for your family’s lifestyle, routines, and abilities.

3. How does The Bair Foundation support foster parents in South Carolina?
You’ll never walk this journey alone. The Bair Foundation is a Christ-centered agency committed to equipping foster families with the training, resources, and 24/7 support they need. From initial training to ongoing case management, counseling services, and support groups, we’re here every step of the way. Our mission is to help you provide the stability, love, and care children need while pointing them to the hope of Christ.

4. Can I foster if I work full-time?
Absolutely. Many of our foster parents in South Carolina have full-time jobs. We work with you to make sure you have the resources, training, and community support needed to balance work and fostering. Children in care may also qualify for daycare or after-school programs, and our staff helps connect you with those resources. The truth is, God doesn’t call only people with open schedules. He calls people who are willing. If you have a heart to serve, we’ll help you find a way to make it work.

5. Can I foster with Bair if I live outside of Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston?
Yes, you can foster with Bair even if you don’t live directly in Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston. Each of our offices serves families within about a 50-mile radius, or roughly an hour’s drive, from their location. This service area includes surrounding towns, suburbs, and rural communities across South Carolina.

We keep this geographic range so our caseworkers can provide consistent support through regular visits and respond quickly in emergencies or whenever families need assistance.

If you’re unsure whether your home falls within our service area, we encourage you to reach out. We’d be happy to review your situation and let you know how we can support your fostering journey. Distance shouldn’t keep you from exploring the possibility of becoming a foster family with Bair.

You Can Make a Kingdom Difference Through Foster Care in South Carolina
Fostering in South Carolina is more than providing a temporary home, it’s about rebuilding the very fabric of families and communities through God’s grace.

When you say “yes,” you become part of a redemptive story.
You offer stability when everything else feels unstable.
You become a light in a child’s darkest moment.

And in doing so, you’re not just changing their life, you’re allowing God to change yours too.

Ready to Begin Your Foster Care Journey in South Carolina?

If you’ve felt even a flicker of that call in your spirit, don’t ignore it.

At The Bair Foundation, we are here to walk with you every step of the way. From your first question to your first placement and beyond, our team is committed to your success and your spiritual growth as a foster parent.

We’re not asking for perfection, we’re inviting you into purpose.

Learn more about fostering in South Carolina with The Bair Foundation
Charleston | Columbia | Greenville 

Answer the call. Embrace the mission. And let God work miracles through you.