- For more information on the
3rd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Awarness Event click here
- To read an article about Professional Parenting in Appalachian Today click here
- For more information about becoming a Foster Parent click here

Mission Statement:
To do whatever it takes to meet the specific needs of children within family settings, thus enhancing their ability to live fulfilling lives.

Established in 1979 with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, Professional Parenting established itself as a specialized foster care program providing quality care for special needs children in the custody of county departments of social services. Over the years, the original program expanded to accommodate children with specific treatment needs and varying placement requirements. These include:

Professional Parenting 
Specialized Foster Care: Specialized foster care is provided by Professional Parents (foster parents) who have been carefully selected, licensed, and specially trained to meet the needs of difficult-to-place children, with the age range of birth to 21 years old, referred by county departments of social services. An array of continuous support services are available to the Professional Parents.

Intensive: This is a unique treatment foster care program serving children aged 12 and under who have a history of sexually reactive behavior towards other children. Professional Parents are specially prepared to work with these children and an extensive support system is in place to meet the needs of both parents and the children placed with them.

Sexual Abuse Intervention Services: This program serves clients referred from Buncombe County and provides community and home-based services for adjudicated juvenile sex offenders and their birth families.Adoption Plus (A+): This program is dedicated to the placement of adoption-eligible children with special needs including older children, sibling groups, and medically and or mentally fragile youth. A complete array of pre- and post-adoptive support services are provided to adoptive parents.

Adolescent Intensive Program: Professional Parenting is excited to offer its newest program, specializing in foster care for Adolescent Sex Offenders. This program is a unique service offering foster care to a population of youth that would otherwise be sent to a residential facility. This program offers the structure and supervision necessary to maintain safety for the community, while providing the least restrictive family environment possible.