by Richard Nilsen It's official! You are now a licensed foster parent, and there is a good chance that the phone will ring soon about your first foster child placement. In the case of my wife and I, we received our first phone call only ours after getting licensed as foster parents. The first set of siblings did not seem like a good fit for our family based on the answers we received, but we then accepted the second call only two hours later. Those two girls are now our adopted daugters! It's vital to ask the right questions and to accept a child or children that will be a good fit. Be realistic about what you and your family are capable of doing, and whether or not you can provide the right care for this child. Here’s a list of important questions for newly licensed foster parents to ask before accepting a first foster child placement:
Don't be shy about asking questions like these, because it can only help you and the child.
So, before accepting your first foster care placement, ask about the child’s strengths, interests, and any special needs. Inquire about their visitation plans, siblings, permanency goals, and educational needs (like an IEP). Confirm dietary restrictions, placement history, and how they interact with other children and pets. Additionally, prepare for practical needs like after-school care, transportation, and emergency plans. Taking time for these questions can help ensure a good fit and ease the transition for both you and the child.
10Tampa interviews Gloria West-Lawson on how she created a kids' closet for the foster community out of her garage and now has two locations in Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Available now - the Hope House welcomes a foster family willing to take in a group of siblings. Learn about the amazing family that occupied the Hope House through Fostering Hope Florida, and the opportunity that awaits the next foster family.
Reporter Caitlin Lockerbie of 10TampaBay interviews Gloria West-Lawson: Our year is off to a great start & picking up speed. We have had lots of volunteers coming to help organize our space and sort donations at our Kidz Closets, hosted a couple of events to raise awareness of our cause in the community, and held a special gathering on Easter Sunday at the Rays game of local foster families. We are looking forward to what this year will continue to bring, and new ways we can advocate for our children in the foster care system.
If you love what we do, join us. With a monthly donation, (less than a daily cup of coffee), you help us do more, serve more, and grow our mission. Together we can build the compassionate system of foster care that our children deserve. IT TAKES A VILLAGEThe beginning of the year is a wonderful time to reflect. Last year brought many blessings to our organization and to the foster families we serve. With your help, support, and generosity we were able to YES to 100's of requests. Thank you from our hearts to yours. Cheers to another year of co-creating a compassionate foster care system.
If you love what we do, join us. With a monthly donation, (less than a daily cup of coffee), you help us do more, serve more, and grow our mission. Together we can build the compassionate system of foster care that our children deserve. Our Inaugural Golf Tournament was a great success! We thank all the sponsors, volunteers, board members and community for making this possible. We are already looking forward to next year.
Our 1st place winners and sponsors, Team Armored. Do you know a former foster youth 18-26 that could use some help navigating adulthood?
Or maybe a family that could use some help. (Help on the front end keeps children in their homes and prevents the need for foster care.) The Florida Department of Children & Families has a Helpline and services ready to help. Please save this # and be prepared to bring HOPE to someone in need. At Fostering Hope Florida, we have served the foster care community across the Tampa Bay area since 2004. Our mission is to create a compassionate system of foster care that honors and protects the rights of children. We also aim, through our various organizational programs, to reduce trauma for foster youth, keep sibling groups together, and influence positive change at the local and state levels.
Calling ALL Golfers – Save The DateThere’s some exciting things in the works for Fostering Hope Florida...Our 1st Charity Golf Tournament will be November 4, 2022. Be sure to add it to your calendar. Sign up available in July from our website.
Love Grows Here Spring is here! You can create a colorful garden to enjoy all summer long while supporting your favorite local charity. Come together with us by planting the seeds of beauty and color as we help children blossom through the act of charity.
Each purchase through the link below will enable us to raise money so we can continue helping our local foster families all while you enjoy the beauty of a large variety of bulbs/seeds for your garden, landscape, flower pots, or window boxes. This is a great way to get your littles involved too, and witness love in bloom as they care for their own living flowers and plants. To support Fostering Hope, fill out the seller information as noted below: First name: Cindy M Last name: Fay |