Other Ways to be Involved
We’re not all called to foster, but we’re all called to care. If you can’t foster, you still can support children in care and foster families. Here are a few opportunities to explore.
In Foster Friendly Communities when foster parents say “Yes” to caring for a child, they are supported and encouraged by their communities.
- At least 10% of local retail businesses offer discounts — similar to those offered to other first responders — to help ease the financial burden of fostering and to provide experiences to kids in care that they might not otherwise have access to.
- At least 5% of local faith communities are Foster Friendly. That means their child / youth staff and volunteers are trauma aware; its leaders teach on foster care in a main gathering at least annually and the community offers a ministry for foster and adoptive families (e.g., Foster Parents’ Night Out, Foster Family Support Group, WRAP Teams).
- Elected officials issue a proclamation declaring the community’s commitment to become Foster Friendly, and supports family recruitment and retention initiatives.
- Nonprofits serving families are centralized on the Foster Friendly App.
- Events can be added to offer access to foster families
- At least 50% of licensed foster homes in the community download the Foster Friendly App.
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You can make the difference in the life of a child in foster care (or the family caring for them without special qualifications through respite, mentoring and natural support.
- Respite – In most states you can provide respite care to a child in foster care without being licensed. This is a great way to lend support to a foster family you know to offer them short-term support/relief. Respite can mean giving the parents a night out or taking care of a child in foster care when they are not able to travel out-of-state with their foster family for vacation, for example.
- Mentoring – Anyone can make a difference for foster youth and former foster youth as a mentor. You can do this informally when you know a foster family or formally by exploring mentoring programs in your community.
- Natural Support – Everyday relationships and connections who provide emotional, social and practical assistance to a child and the foster family. These supports can include family, friends, neighbors and community members, as well as social and faith-based groups. (This can take the form of a WRAP team, Foster Friendly Community or something less formal.)
Two other ways to advocate for children are to serve as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and/or guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteer. In these roles you will advocate for the best interests of vulnerable kids, often kids in foster care. You’ll work with child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure judges have the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for a child. Programs are available in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Volunteers are needed.
Bio family preservation and restoration are always the top priority, and sometimes at-risk families only need temporary intervention or support to keep their families intact. Safe Families and Care Portal are two of our nonprofit partners who provide preventive intervention.
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WRAP Teams and Care Communities (a program of Promise 686) “wrap around” kinship and foster families to provide practical, hands-on support to help them thrive as they foster. The nature of the support is defined in collaboration with the family, in response to their unique situation and needs, but can include a wide range of support.
Support groups can be a vital connection point for foster families to share experiences and encourage one another. Even if you can’t foster, you can volunteer to host or facilitate a support group.
