[lostboys]

I am posting because as a foster parent I know there are many needs in a foster family that the counties and agencies simply do not have funds to help with. DH and I am in the process of starting a Not for Profit organization that will help foster families provide as much a normal life for foster children as possible. Let me give you an example of some needs we have had that have caused a hardship on our finances, or hardship on the children themselves. It would be very helpful if you would post some needs your families have had and are experiencing that an organization like ours could help with.

1.We foster teen boys, as most foster parents know, it is important help the children build self esteem. We have found that getting them involved in sports and other activities works wonders for them. Along with these activities comes a great deal of expence. When you have 6 teenage children in many different activities it can be a real stain on your pocket book. It would be a great help to us to have some financial help for these expences or discounts for equipment.

2. All of our boys go to counceling. We have found that the councelors that medicaid will cover aren’t always suitable for the type of issues the children are dealing with. We would like to be able to send the boys to therapist who can help with their specifics needs without having to empty our bank accounts to get them the help they need.

3.We have also had situations where the boys will come from another foster home without medication because the insurance was messed up, and the foster family did not have the $200 to pay for medication. We have paid this price for medication on a couple of occaisions.

I hope to hear many needs from all of your loving homes.

Thanks you

[AmyAnne]

A respite care service that does not spoil your children rotten would be EXTREMELY helpful. Also, getting access to the Child Psychologists who do not accept medicaid.

[leaabc123]

We just got a call to see if we would accept a sibling of our girls. I explained that we had just moved and don't have the ability to buy the furniture needed at this time. (We had major unexpected issues with plumbing and electricity that ate up our reserves)

So, some kind of furniture donation woul be great for things like beds, cribs, dressers, etc. Along with car seats and strollers.

Also, a better clothing exchange for kids who need emergency clothes or who come from other foster homes without adequate clothing.

[jackiesbooks]

Discounts for clothes -
Better respite system - In MD, you pay out of your monthly check
Information packet - What Dr/Dentist/Eyeglass providers will accept the insurance AND programs that are available - IN our county Pre-K is available (i found this out by accident)

[AmyAnne]

Dental's a big one.

And a clothing swap might be cool... since these kiddos outgrow EVERYTHING. For every good condition item you bring in (3 shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of PJ's) you can pick the same amount of clothes in the size your child currently needs.

[MamaTo6]

Lostboys... what a wonderful thing to do. Too many people sit and complain and dont do anything to try to help.

Recently a friend of mine gave me a case of formula and nb diapers that she had left over. She asked if I knew anybody who could use them? I couldnt use them so I got ahold of our sw and asked her if there was a mom or fm that she knew who could use them? Ofcourse there was. Since then I have found out that the family who got the stuff has a lil guy just younger than mine. I continue to give clothes and toys to the sw who then passes them on. Im not sure if it's a fm or a struggleing parent that is getting this stuff, and I dont care. The only thing I asked the sw was to please make sure it was all going to somebody who would appreciate it and take care of it all.

Warm Wishes....Teagans Mama

[spitzlvr]

Hey guys,

I do not foster, but was reading this thread. And I thought of something. I belong to a group called freecycle. The basic premise is you don't need something anymore, you post to the list, and someone who does comes and get it. Or they post what they need.

Perhaps you can set up a special group - just for fostering parents (or people who want to help fostering parents, like me). Then you can trade between yourselves.

[hubbyswife]

That's pretty cool, I agree w the furniture especially w cribs and toddler beds, strollers, car seats, etc..... I also like the idea for funds for activities.... We have our fs on a t-ball team.... Clothes was another big thing, but we got pretty lucky there, friends have donated clothes for the kids... which helps A LOT!

[lostboys]

Thanks, This is a big help..I knew there would be need that we have not come across. Please keep the ideas coming!!

[yanknrebel]

I too enjoy ourFreecycle program. I have given away alot of my baby clothes that I have had for my foster children. I have also given away a bathtub and other essentials. I have benefited from freecycle as well as the online garage sale where you BUY things but at yardsale prices. My foster care association is working on openeing up a clothes closet like someone mentioned and exchanging clothes. I have gotten lots of donations from members of Freecycle to put in this clothes closet. I ask friends, neighbors, church family, all if they have any children's clothes that are in good to excellent condition that they would like to donate, I pick them up and take them to the meetings or the caseworkers. So many times these children come to a new foster home with nasty filthy clothes or clothes that are 2 sizes too big or small. SO you have to drag this poor child out (unless dh stays home) to get them a few outfits, socks underwear, deodorant, feminine products, toothbrushes, toothpaste mouthwash, razors. They need their own things. That would be somewhere you could help. Get donations from families or companies like Colgate, Listerine, Hanes, etc to donate so much per year to your organization. They use it as promotion and advertising, they get to write off the donations, and you get items tp help all your foster children and families. Good luck. Great thing you are doing.

[leaabc123]

I agree freecycle has definitely helped me out. When we got our first emergency infant placement, I got more baby clothes and other assorted items than I knew what to do with.

But the "big ticket" items like furniture are a bit more iffy on free cycle. Perhaps even finding local stores willing to provide foster parent discounts would help for things like bunk beds, beds, cribs, etc.

[jackiesbooks]

Never heard of freecycle - is that a local thing or internet?

Interesting - Can't have bunk beds in MD

[Kate1129]

Clothing and SHOE exchange!!!!!

[tlc4kidz]

lostboys,
What an awesome thing to take on!! There is a new not-for-profit in our area doing a similar thing. You can check them out at www.commongroundkc.org. Thought you might want the contact info so you didn't have to re-invent the wheel! I bet they would be willing to share their successes and obstacles.

[sara&carlton]

freecycle.org

That is the national site, then you tell them what area you're in and they sign you up for that area. Then you receive emails of people wanting and also getting rid of things they don't need anymore in your area. You can also post if you need something. I posted for an easel for my toddler and got an awesome art desk for free. Everything offered has to be free. Unfortunately, freecycle in my area has gotten so big I almost never get anything anyone's offering. :/ You make arrangements to pick up the item.

Hope this helps!

Sara