[NJMama]

Does anyone know if there is such a thing in existence? I have practically a whole fall/winter wardbrode for a girl size 18 months that I will otherwise find somewhere to donate to, (I have a call into a local residential program for women in recovery who live there with their children to see if anyone has a girl that age), but I would love to help out a fellow foster parent who has a FD this age. Especially a newly placed child - I know what's its been like at times trying to find clothing for the current season when a child comes into my home and it seems the stores are all filled with clothing for the following season!!

So, let me know if anyone knows of a resource such as this, and if not and you know another FP who has a FD this size, let me know that too.

[megaphonemo]

Just moved from NJ, now in VA, and managed to hook up with a new foster mom here for all the baby girl clothes we have from my girls (since if we ever adopt again, it will be international and a boy...)... We have not gotten together yet, but are planning it....

Good for you for looking....

Mega

[anilorak13ska]

I'm the new foster mom megaphonemo is talking about, and I just wanted to say what a great idea, both of you!

These clothes will be a godsend! Even though we've been collecting clothes from our niece as she's outgrown them, there never seems to be enough! And we just realized that our reimbursement will cover exactly childcare and nothing more - and that's super-cheap childcare provided by my own mom!

I'm going to try to put this baby into cloth diapers (purchased previously) so we can stop spending the money on the diapers (she likes to go in a new diaper! who knew?), and luckily we were able to get her started on solids (she was a little overdue), so her formula costs should also start going down.

This is definitely a resource the foster care folks should organize and notify the parents about. Thanks to both of you!

[waiting4bebe]

Ahh I wish you were in Tx. I got my foster little girl in June and went crazy buying her a huge wardrobe all summer clothes. I made the mistake of buying too much too soon. She has already outgrown a lot mostly her shoes. I now have to begin buying her fall clothing. Although, it does not get too cold here I still can't have her dressed in summer dresses or shorts with the slight cold fronts we get. It would be nice if there was an clothing exchange program for us. A lot of her shoes I bought her are still like new. She is wearing size 18 months most of 2t are still big on her but size 5 and 51/2 shoes are now too small. Maybe there is a place I just may not be aware of it, since this is my first child with me ever. I am crazy about her so she is border line spoiled.

[anilorak13ska]

Baby V is our first placement too. We haven't had her 2 weeks yet, and we already got a call for a respite request for a teenager and her baby! They needed a Spanish-speaking family, but I had to say no. We need this weekend to just be. On the positive side, perhaps now that we're "on the books" as having had a placement, when Baby V goes home, they'll keep calling, and hopefully we'll be able to adopt eventually

[vernellinnj]

Middlesex County Foster Parent Assoc has a clothing exchange every month. They meet in Piscataway.

[NJMama]

Originally Posted by vernellinnj

Middlesex County Foster Parent Assoc has a clothing exchange every month. They meet in Piscataway.

Wow - thanks for the info. I'm only 10 minutes from there. Not sure they would allow me to participate because technically I'm in somerset county (just over the border) but I would love to talk to the person in charge to get more info about how it is organized and perhaps borrow some ideas to start one up in my county. Thanks for the great info!!

[breakspencils]

Originally Posted by anilorak13ska

I'm the new foster mom megaphonemo is talking about, and I just wanted to say what a great idea, both of you!

These clothes will be a godsend! Even though we've been collecting clothes from our niece as she's outgrown them, there never seems to be enough! And we just realized that our reimbursement will cover exactly childcare and nothing more - and that's super-cheap childcare provided by my own mom!

I'm going to try to put this baby into cloth diapers (purchased previously) so we can stop spending the money on the diapers (she likes to go in a new diaper! who knew?), and luckily we were able to get her started on solids (she was a little overdue), so her formula costs should also start going down.

This is definitely a resource the foster care folks should organize and notify the parents about. Thanks to both of you!

are you allowed to use cloth diapers? we aren't in my state. but there is a diaper allowance. Do you get a clothing allowance seasonally for your foster child? I thought that was in every state that you got those. as for formula costs, you can get WIC for that. I didn't know that either when I started but our caseworker took us there and signed us up.

[anilorak13ska]

breakspencils - not sure why we couldn't use cloth diapers. It never came up in training. The clothing allowance, room and board, and personal items allowance all together just barely cover childcare.

I will definitely have to ask my CW about the WIC - no one mentioned this to us, and this is the second time someone said something about it on these threads! Thanks!

[NJMama]

Originally Posted by anilorak13ska

The clothing allowance, room and board, and personal items allowance all together just barely cover childcare.

You arent entitled to a childcare stipend? Working foster parents in NJ can enroll the foster children in certified or licensed daycare homes or centers and the provider is paid a fixed rate by the State. Sometimes the provider accepts what the State rate is and others require the foster parent to pay a co-pay, but its minimal in comparison.

[Jayla39]

How about I don't even have foster children yet and I have a mini master in my home fully furnished with clothing in a double closet from end to end!All the stuff in this room is for two girls sizes 3t- to 6x. (I have requested 2 girls in ages ranging from infancy to 6 years old. I have jewelry, backpacks, lunch boxes and purses galore! Coats, snow suits, toys out the wazzooo new PINK Kitchen set and eveything is HELLO KITTY! My thoughts were whomever they place with me will have a GREAT head start! Whenever I catch a sale I am picking boots bedding anything that I think a child will need . I am so excited I finish my classes 11/21 and I am hoping and believing for a placement b4 Christmas! I know I need to calm down but I would love it if my New Year was to start with a new family!