• A foster child may receive informal, voluntary care by someone (often a grandparent, other relative, or neighbor) who enters into an agreement with the parent or who simply substitutes for the parent as necessary to ensure the child’s protection. More formally, the child may be part of the federal–state foster-care program that identifies, trains, and pays caregivers who will provide family care for children who lack parents or cannot safely remain with their biological parents.
— Also termed (archaically) fosterling. See foster parent under PARENT. [Cases: Infants 226. C.J.S. Adoption of Persons §§ 10–12.]
