Though fostering and adopting is not possible for everyone, what is possible is finding ways to support those who make these important choices. It’s likely someone you know—a neighbor, family member or friend— is considering adopting or fostering. It might even be the case that someone you know is already fostering or has already adopted a child. Helping a friend or family member who is fostering or adopting is easier than many think. Here are 10 ways to get involved with foster care.
1. Start small.
Talk, read, and volunteer at your local agency responsible for adoption and foster care services.
2. Be alert and practice hospitality.
Cultivate sensitivity to the needs around of the adoptive and foster parents and children around you.
3. Sponsor
Sponsor others in the process of adoption or fund agencies who place children. You can sponsor a foster family with financial needs, such as day care, clothing, and school field trips. You can also sponsor a family who needs that extra support from their community.
4. Care
Care for the functionally fatherless— those who have fathers who are present physically, but not emotionally or spiritually. Get involved in the All Pro Dad Chapter program by visiting here. You could even become a mentor to help guide the life of a foster child in a positive direction.
5. Provide
Provide practical care for adoptive or foster parents.
6. Support
Support adoption and foster care by promoting it and talking about it with your community.
7. Visit
Visit with purpose. Have a plan to serve: arrange a carpool, run errands, pick up groceries, or make a meal.
8. Offer
Offer transitional assistance as older youth “age out” of foster or group homes. For example, you can rent to a youth that aged out. The need for a family doesn’t end at age 18.
9. Use your skills.
Use your vocational skills to help families who foster or adopt, or to serve organizations who are tackling this issue.
10. Decide to foster or adopt.
Click here to find your state’s department for foster care and adoption.
Did you know that over 1,000 children and teens enter the foster care system each month in the state of Florida? They are in need of safe, loving, and committed foster families who can care of them while they are removed from their homes. Would you consider opening your heart and home to care? Learn more about becoming a foster parent by visiting MyFloridaMyFamily or by calling 1-83-FosterFL or 1-833-678-3735.