Foster Parent Retention
Prepare | Strengthen | Equip | Resource | Support
“Strong and supported foster families are the foundation for the hope and healing of hurting children.”
Through our years of partnering with foster parents and agencies we have seen a sad trend in the the retention of foster parents. Everyone starts their foster journey with a heart to love children and change their world. After they navigate the licensure process and certify their home, they finally get a beautiful child placed in their home.
Now the difficult work begins. Families face new challenges, unexpected behavior, a plethora of appointments, changing schedules, and so much more. And from our own personal experience we know that it is a lot to bear by ones self. But it shouldn’t be a road traveled alone.
We believe that’s where Foster ICT comes in. We want to be a place of preparation, strengthening, equipping, resource, and support.
We believe that foster care is not the responsibility of a few families. It is the responsibility of all God’s people and the surrounding community!
Door Drops
We believe in the power of encouragement and prayer. This year we have committed to 12 door drops.
A door drop is a strategic act of kindness and blessing.
You nominate a foster parent that could use a bit of encouragement, a “We love you”, or “Don’t give up”, or “We’re thinking of you”. We will personalize a drop to fit their needs: a kind note, a small gift, a meal, diapers, flowers, a gift card for coffee or a date night, etc.
“Sometimes you just need a reminder that you’re not alone.”
Church Partnerships
We believe caring for foster parents and children is the responsibility of Churches and believers as a collective. We want to train 5 Churches in our community who will commit to love and resource foster parents in their own churches and surrounding area.
Foster Parent Resources
We wanted to collaborate and create a one stop shop where foster parents could find all the resources our community has to offer. No more searching for hours, waiting for case workers to call you back, or feeling alone.
Check out all of the amazing organizations and people who want to partner with you today!
Raising Awareness
“You don’t know what you don’t know.”
An unseen piece of being a foster parent or child are the stories of victory and struggle. Our goal is to make our community aware of the challenges and realities of foster care, as well as how to practically help today.
We have made a commitment to provide speakers who will share stories, raise awareness, and inspire change through engaging churches, local businesses, schools, college campuses, community organizations, and anyone else who will listen!
Crisis Response Team
Our goal is to create and fund a…
No crisis is convenient. Trauma strikes in unexpected moments. Difficult or new behavior doesn’t give you any warning.
We understand that one of the most difficult parts of providing foster care is that in moments of crisis you need someone to call, show up , help, sit with you, talk through it, provide respite, or lend a hand.
Emergencies often happen when we least expect it, but we want foster parents to know that they are not alone!
It is our dream to provide a 24/7 support line for foster parents to call and speak with a seasoned foster parent and trauma specialist who can provide practical help in the heat of the moment.
To accomplish this we need to fund 1-2 staff positions for our crisis hotline.
Click below to see how you can help make this dream a reality!