fostered

Fostered is the past tense and past participle of the verb foster. It generally means to encourage the growth, development, or well-being of someone or something, often by providing care, resources, or support. The term can describe nurturing relationships, skills, ideas, or organizations, as well as actions taken within formal care settings.

In social services, fostered refers specifically to children placed in a foster care arrangement. A fostered child is living with a foster family or caregiver who is responsible for their day-to-day care, safety, and welfare, temporarily or for an extended period. The aim is usually to provide a stable, supportive environment while birth families are supported or while permanency options (reunification, adoption, or guardianship) are pursued.

Etymology: The verb foster derives from Old English fōstrian, meaning to nourish or support. Over time, it developed into the sense of rearing and caring for a child by someone other than the birth parent. The noun and adjective forms as in “foster child” and “foster parent” entered English in the medieval period, with “fostered” functioning as the past tense.

Usage: Fostered is commonly used with nouns such as relationships, communities, or care. Examples include “the program fostered collaboration among agencies” or “she fostered a love of reading in her students.” In legal or administrative contexts, it may describe formal arrangements or actions that have been established previously.

See also: foster care, foster parent, foster child, foster home, nurturing, sponsorship.