*Conclusion of a 5-part series
Not everyone who wants to help foster children is able to offer a home to those in need, but there are many other ways to support foster children and foster families.
For those would would qualify to foster but feel themselves unable to do so full-time, respite care may be an option. Respite care, sometimes known as “short-term” foster care, gives foster families the time and space needed to avoid becoming overwhelmed, but is not mere babysitting. Respite caregivers must pass a thorough background check, including fingerprinting, and some agencies require anyone providing respite care to be a licensed foster parent.
Another option is mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides an opportunity to give guidance and support to teens. Mentors can provide a sense of security and guidance for their mentees that is crucially important to children in foster care. Mentoring with organizations such as BBBS also requires thorough background checks, often including home visits. Big Brothers Big Sisters then provide training before the mentoring relationship begins, followed by support during the mentoring process.
Fundraising, donating supplies or throwing a shower for new foster parents are also tangible ways to offer support. Many children arrive in their foster homes on short notice, so parents must scramble to secure adequate supplies. A shower can be a huge help in such situations.
Being a CASA (Court Appointed Legal Advocate) volunteer may be one of the most arduous but also most crucial ways to help foster children. Becoming an Advocate is quite a commitment. After completing the CASA curriculum, an Advocate is officially an officer of the court who may then be appointed by a juvenile court judge to represent a foster child’s interest in the courtroom.
Among the less formal ways to support foster families is simply offering household help. Foster families can easily become overwhelmed, and cooking a meal or mowing a lawn can take some of the pressure off of a family struggling with new circumstances.
One way that we can all help foster children is by spreading awareness and dispelling myths. The system and the children within it are often misunderstood and correcting those misconceptions can support foster families in a less tangible, but perhaps equally important way.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Robbinsville can be reached at 736-7501.
More information about becoming a Court Appointed Legal Advocate can be found at casaforchildren.org.