Families Supporting Adoption: Foster Care Myth #3

In a series of Wednesday posts, we will debunk some common myths about foster care. We welcome your comments and hope you will share your experiences with us at fsablog@gmail.com.

Myth:?Once I take in a foster child, I?m on my own without any help.

FACT:??Your family will be assigned a caseworker to support you with any placement or licensing questions you may have, including finding the best fit for the children who come into your home.??This caseworker is often called a ?Resource Family Consultant? or ?Licensing Specialist? depending on your state.?

Perhaps the greatest source of support to foster families is?other foster families.??In our state, we have a great support network made up of other foster & adoptive families in our geographic region.??These groups are called ?Cluster Groups? and are essentially a support group made up of other foster parents who meet together monthly for ongoing trainings, activities, and support- such as finding respite care, if needed.??In addition, Cluster group facilitators and other?advocacy groups?help to raise awareness of any legislation affecting foster children and their families.
As for financial help to offset the cost of caring for foster children, monthly reimbursements are available to foster parents based on daily rates which?differ by state.??In addition, most foster children under the age of five are eligible for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) which provides vouchers for nutritious foods, such as milk and cereal, free of cost.??When a foster child is placed in your home, their caseworker will include a letter for the foster family stating that the child is in your care and is potentially eligible for WIC.?
Although foster parents are required to purchase new clothing for their foster children each month, there are Clothing Resource Centers (located in storage units or people?s homes) in some of our state's regions which contain gently used clothing and toys.?These Resource Centers are run by volunteer foster parents who collect donations from stores and throughout the community.?The Resource Center?is an especially helpful resource if you get a call about a placement and a couple of hours later you have a child in your home with only the clothes on their back.

Mary M., UT Layton FSA Chapter

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