It is such a gift to have friends and family support you when you start the journey to fostering. Little things can make a huge difference. Here are some ideas of how you can help!

 

• Bring over a meal – the first week after receiving a placement can be a whirlwind of appointments, in home visits from the case manager and other parties to the case, having to get needed items, enrolling in school, etc. Something as simple as providing a meal can take some of the stress off.
• Provide necessity items- Silly things like toothbrushes, socks, underwear, backpacks, diapers, etc. do not typically come with a child that is placed. Providing the items or a gift card so that the kiddo can pick out what they want on their own is a wonderful gesture for both the kiddo and the foster parents.
• Watch other kids in the home so that the parents can take the new kiddo to get needed items, to the dentist, or to mandatory doctor appointments.
• Offer to help and ask “How can I best help you?” –even if you are not needed in that moment being willing to help is huge. Once you become a foster parent, it can feel like you are completely isolated and knowing that your support community is still with you makes a huge impact.

 

Thank you for your great question! If you have questions, send them to #youaskedfa or Kim@fosteraz.com