Meet the Resource Parent: Derrick Hooper

Here at AFS, we are lucky to work with some amazing Resource Parents. Today, we’re going to highlight one of them: Derrick Hooper. 

For over 20 years, Derrick has been working primarily with teenagers in foster care. In fact, he has fostered well over 40 kids, with most of them being between the ages of 14 and 18. 

Derrick had worked in the child welfare space for many years, including in Southern California and here in the Bay Area, before becoming a Resource Parent. After seeing many teenage boys, and especially young Black men, not last long in their placements, he decided to act and become a foster parent to these kids. 

While some prospective foster parents are not keen to work with older kids, Derrick prefers to work with foster teens. He has a good understanding of what normal teen behavior actually looks like, and know that they need support and boundaries. 

Another key part, Derrick says, is to really understand their community and background, and to keep foster kids connected to their community – this is especially true for young Black men but applies across. 

Today, he’s still in contact with many individuals he cared for and is even the grandfather to many of their kids. In fact, he talks daily with some of his former foster kids that he’s known since the early 2000s. 

AFS staff, families and kids are grateful that Derrick chose us to partner with to impact the lives of Northern California foster youth. Thank you for all your compassion, commitment and care!