How Foster Parents Can Support a Child's Racial and Cultural Identity

Foster care is about more than providing safety—it’s about nurturing the whole child. When children are placed in foster homes with families of different races or ethnicities, their cultural identity can easily be overlooked. That’s why transracial foster care placements require extra intentionality.

As a foster parent, honoring a child’s racial and cultural background is a powerful way to help them feel seen, supported, and secure. From daily hair care routines to celebrating cultural traditions, there are practical ways to affirm their identity and promote lifelong healing.

Why Cultural Identity Matters in Foster Care Placements

Children in foster care often experience multiple layers of loss. When they enter a home where their race or culture isn’t reflected, they can feel disconnected from their sense of self.

Research shows that cultural identity plays a key role in mental health, confidence, and belonging, especially for children of color in foster care. Foster parents who acknowledge and celebrate their child's heritage help build the foundation for self-esteem and stability.

5 Ways Foster Parents Can Support a Child’s Racial and Cultural Identity

1. Educate Yourself About Their Background

Start by learning about your foster child’s racial, ethnic, or cultural identity. Read books, attend local events, and follow thought leaders from that community. Ask questions with humility and listen more than you speak.

2. Learn Culturally Appropriate Hair and Skin Care

Hair and skin care are deeply tied to cultural identity, especially for Black children in foster care. Understanding their hair texture, proper products, and respectful grooming practices is essential:

• Use products designed for their hair type

• Visit barbershops or salons that specialize in textured hair

• Watch YouTube tutorials or ask for help from people of similar backgrounds

3. Include Diverse Representation at Home

Representation in your home should reflect the child’s race and culture. Choose books, toys, artwork, and movies that affirm their identity and help them feel at home:

Ideas include:

• Books with characters of color

• Family portraits with inclusive themes

• Celebrating holidays like Lunar New Year, Kwanzaa, or Dia de los Muertos (if appropriate)

4. Build Connections with Culturally Similar Communities

Help your child form relationships with people who share their cultural or racial identity. These role models are vital for helping them develop confidence and a sense of belonging.

Ways to connect:

• Local cultural organizations or churches

• Mentorship programs or community events

• Therapists or youth group leaders who reflect their background

5. Talk Openly About Race and Identity

Children will have questions about race, especially if they’ve experienced racism or are curious about their background. Be open, honest, and ready to have age-appropriate conversations.

Let your foster child know that their culture and heritage matter—and that you’re here to learn with them, not just for them.

Final Thoughts: Love Means Seeing the Whole Child

Being a foster parent to a child of a different race or background doesn’t require perfection, but it does require presence and intentionality. When you take steps to support a child’s cultural identity, you’re not just meeting a need—you’re honoring who they are and where they come from.

At Restore Therapeutic Foster Care, we walk alongside families as they learn how to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Whether you're fostering a child of a different race or want more training on identity and belonging, we’re here to help.

Want to learn more about trauma-informed, cross-cultural foster parenting

Contact Restore TFC today or check out our full Resource Article Library.