[jazerb]

I am new to this site. I belong to a singles group interested in doing some kind of charity work for foster kids. Since I've heard that kids often arrive at a foster home with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, I thought maybe we could start a fundraiser to provide these kids with an "overnight bag" containing a pillow, blanket, pj's, toothbrush, comb & brush etc. Basic nessecities they can call their own and have with them always. Can anyone help answer the following questions:

1) Do fc often arrive at your homes with none of the basics mentioned above?
2) Do the placement agencies not provide these things?
3) Do the kids ever bring anything of their own...toys, books etc?
4) Assuming you buy them these things, when they leave, do they get to take their pillow or blanket....or any kind of personal "security" item with them?
5) If we were to donate overnight bags on a regular basis, who would we give them to? CPS? Will they make sure each new child being placed will get one?
6) Is anyone already doing something like this that you know of?
7) What items would you suggest be put in the bags?

Thanks so much and I appreciate your feedback! Jill

[yanknrebel]

That sounds like a wonderful idea. I have been a fostermom for three years now. In my experience, it depends on when the child is picked up to come to your home. If the child is picked up from school, they have nothing but their school backpack. Most times, if they leave their home, they have a bag that may have a few clothing items,that they may or may not have packed themselves. Things hastily thrown in the bag. These children and the families are often in turmoil, crying and fighting, so the last thing these children think of is a toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, etc. Every single teen or pretteen that I have gotten placed with me has come with 1 or 2 outfits and a pair of pjs. WHen they are placed here, I usually have to run out to Walmart after they get here and settled in (or we take them with us) to get shampoo, deodorant, hairbrush, toothbrush, panties, socks, and a disposal camera for their own. It gives them something new. It gives me peace of mind to know they have the necessities that they need for the next few days, and it takes their mind off of their plight if not for just a few minutes. SOme of these children never get anything new. I had one 13 year old cry when I took her shopping to get her these things. She came wearing some old boys clothes that were torn and ragged and dirty. SHe told me that she was the only girl of 5 kids, (youngest) and her parents couldn't afford to get her any "girl" things, so she only ever had boys clothes. My teenage daughter and I helped the child pick out a very feminine outfit (blouse, pants, sweater and shoes) and you would have thought she won the lottery. The things we take for granted. So, yes, in my opinion this would be a very kind and generous thing to do. I would give them to the CPS agency. They are usually the ones removing the kids in the middle of school or the middle of the night.

[chiquitita]

Like her or hate her, the Dr. Laura Schlessinger foundation does this exact thing - you might want to check into what they do to see what the most common needs are.

[msheartofgold]

yanknrebel you pretty much answer it that is usually the case i only had a total of 4 placement and only 2 of them came with a few basic items (sib set) except the meds for child chronic asthma we were able to keep in contact with mom to get more things after she told me if i buy them any clothes they must be matching outfit (ages 7-4) go figure. I told her to send their clothes with sw. Another placement came with the clothes on his back, and our last placement was stright for the hospital had nothing at all had to come from the hospital with a undershirt and 4 receiving blankets. We had no time to go shopping until after we picked her up.
But to answer your questions we just started buying extra stuff (tooth brushes, combs, brush, towels, wash clolths,etc..) but with clothes we only have an outfit or two on hand for the age range of children we will take ages 0-5

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Hi,

Our experience has been that children new to the system have come to us with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and most of those were inappropriate. We are in KY and an organization did the same type of thing. They gave each child a duffle bag (nylon) with a water bottle (not sure for what) and an additional little nylon bag. The large duffle contained a quilt (handmade) a stuffed animal, the smaller bag contained a toothbrush, toothpaste (trial size), hair brush, deodorant and soap. I've only had one child leave since the bags were handed out and we were sure to gather all of his belongings from that bag and send them with him.

Once CPS went through the initial donated bags there were no more to be had and more and more children continue to come into care. So, my advice would be that, even if you live in an area where this is done, there is always going to be a need for these types of items. You could always call the local CPS and ask what they feel the children need. I would also recommend keeping the items in the bags suitable for either boy or girl. Our worker picked through bags to get girl colors for girls, etc. If you use neutral colors this wouldn't be a problem.

Thank you for caring about "our" kids. Too many times children in foster care are judged harshly simply because of their circumstances. It's heartwarming to hear of people reaching out to make things better for them.

Michelle

[leenab]

In my state there is a non-profit that does this, but it's rare tat a child comes with one of their bags. Out of 7 children I've only ever had 1 come with a toothbrush. Most children come with nothing or very close to nothing. There just aren't enough people who donate bags for children so the state runs out very quickly.

Our foster children who've left we send along with all of their clothes, toys bought specifically for them, a special stuffed animal that they've usually slept with (if they're old enough to sleep with one), toothbrush, unused formula and at least 2 bottles and diapers. And I keep a supply of duffle bags, because most children in fostercare travel with garbage bags. Even both of my now adopted sons came with garbage bags.

Trust me the children will love having nice things to be placed with.

LeenaB

[mom2GRLC]

That sounds like a wonderful idea. We've had 36 kids in our home and most came with nothing...or the few clothes they did bring were worn out and very smoky, with holes everywhere.

We manage just by taking a certian age group and ,making sure to keep extra clothes on hand at all times...but they too are used but in much better condition that what they have come with. We always save their things...just because they are theirs...and from their family but we usually just pack them up...and send them back home when they leave.

We get a clothing voucher for all our kids...that usually comes as early as a week after placement ...or can take up to a month to get.

It would be nice to get a little something..just for that child to help out until we get their voucher. You might want to make some for different ages as well. The best people to keep these things with...is the placement people/ assesment workers. They are the ones who come in first contact with the child...and who bring them to our home. It takes a week or so for the social workers to get assigned.

[LifeParent]

1) Do fc often arrive at your homes with none of the basics mentioned above? YES. IF THEY HAVE A BAG, IT IS FULL OF ILL FITTING CLOTHING AND BROKEN TOYS.

2) Do the placement agencies not provide these things? NO. I HAD TO ASK FOR AN ADVANCE TO THAT I COULD PURCHASE THINGS FOR THE CHILD.

3) Do the kids ever bring anything of their own...toys, books etc? YES BUT THEY ARE OLD AND BROKEN MOST TIMES. MY FD WON'T EVEN THROW AWAY THE BROKEN TOYS. HECK, IT WAS ALL SHE HAD SO YOU CAN'T BLAME HER. MY HUSBAND AND I LOOKED THROUGH HER THINGS AND THEN BOUGHT NEW LIKE ITEMS FOR HER.

4) Assuming you buy them these things, when they leave, do they get to take their pillow or blanket....or any kind of personal "security" item with them? YES. WE TELL THE KIDS THESE THINGS ARE THEIRS. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN'T TAKE ARE THE BED, TV AND ANY OTHER FURNITURE ALREADY IN THEIR ROOM. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A COMPUTER FOR OUR FD HOWEVER, WE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS FOR HER TO USE BUT BELONGS TO THE ROOM.

5) If we were to donate overnight bags on a regular basis, who would we give them to? CPS? Will they make sure each new child being placed will get one? NO. I WOULD SET UP A PHONE NUMBER FOR FP TO CALL. YOU CAN GIVE THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE AGENCY AND SIMPLY HAVE THE FP CALL. THIS WILL INSURE WE ACTUALLY GET WHAT WE NEED.

6) Is anyone already doing something like this that you know of? NO ONE IN OUR AREA. SURE COULD USE ONE IN MONTANA.

7) What items would you suggest be put in the bags? A TOY, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PILLOW, SPECIAL BLANKIE, TOOTHBRUSH, BRUSH, PONY TAIL HOLDER (CUTE), JOURNAL AND A LIFE BOOK, DISPOSABLE CAMERA.

These are my thoughts on it. When our FD arrived, my husband and I asked for help but there was none. She arrived the day before the 1st day of school. We spent the entire day shopping for her. Over $400.00 spent on school clothes, supplies, a couple of toys, etc. I made her a life book the next day and took pictures of her for it.