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Nationwide Free and Discounted Stuff for Foster Care Families
Fostering a child can seem overwhelmingly expensive, and the stipend that we as foster parents receive from the government barely seems to scratch the surface of all the expenses. As a foster parent, I’m sure that you desire for the kids in your care to experience all the joys that life has to offer. The great news for us foster families is that there are so many companies and ministries that agree! Check out this list of free resources for families who foster as well as for children in foster care.
This article is a resource to help you get connected with the items and services that you need as a foster family. This is a list of free and discounted stuff for foster care families and kids in foster care.
Please verify directly with the company or ministry as each one is subject to availability and price changes. If you happen to come across updates for any of these please feel free to comment so can update the list. Also, if you know of any other great benefits for foster families please share those so they can be added to this resource list!
Table of Contents
Nationwide Savings for Foster Families
In this section, I share free and discounted stuff for foster families that apply nationwide. I have separated each program into one of three categories: groceries/supplies, child care/activities, and mentoring/youth impact. Check out the foster family discounts below.
Groceries & Supplies
Discounts that foster families can receive for groceries, food, and other home supplies.
50% off Amazon Prime – To qualify for Prime Access, please be prepared to upload one of nine forms of verification for any of the following government assistance programs: Supplemental Security Income (this is different from Social Security and SSDI), SNAP, Medicaid, Direct Express Debit Card (DE), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) or Tribal assistance eligibility letter (TTANF).
Check out my article on exactly how I secured our Amazon Prime membership discount.
WIC program – WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
WIC benefits are available in the form of vouchers that can be redeemed at authorized retailers for specific foods that are known to be healthy for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk. WIC also provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support to help participants make healthy choices for themselves and their families.
Many young foster children are already on WIC. As a foster parent, you can contact your local WIC office to get access to your foster kiddo’s WIC account to be able to use it to utilize the food assistance. Look up your state’s WIC program for more information.
You will likely also need to talk with your child’s pediatrician if you are in need of formula or Pediasure, as they will need to write a prescription to WIC in order for you to access the benefits to get those things for free.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Through the US Affordable Connectivity Program, you automatically qualify for the EBB if your child is eligible to receive free school meals or if you live in a school district where all children in the district qualify for free school meals. All foster children are eligible for free school meals, so all foster families qualify.
If your household is eligible, you could receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
- A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP*
National Diaper Bank Network – If you or someone you know needs diapers, there may be assistance in your community. To find out if an agency in your area provides diaper assistance to families in need, please call 2-1-1 on your phone or search online at 2-1-1.org. Specialists are available 24/7 to help identify local resources that may be able to help provide diapers and other basic necessities.
Cloth Diaper Option, Inc – Looking for a more sustainable and affordable way to do diapers? Check out the Cloth Diaper Option, Inc, and apply for your own FREE set of reusable diapers for your babies! Newborns receive 20 cloth diaper changes, infants 15 changes, and potty training toddlers 10 changes. This is enough diapers for you to use cloth full time with daily washing.
America’s Kids Belong – AKB is working hard to connect foster families with free and discounted resources across America in order to help make being a foster parent more affordable. If you live in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Dakota, Tennessee, or Virginia, download the Foster Friendly app so you can find all sorts of great resources, free stuff, and discounts in your area!
Rakuten – Not specific to foster families, but if you are not already using Rakuten while online shopping, you are potentially throwing away HUNDREDS of dollars every year. We earn so much money using this and other cash-back apps.
Once Upon a Child – (not verified) Once Upon a Child is a resale shop for just kids clothing and items. They have locations all across the U.S. This is already a great way to find discounted children’s clothing, but I’ve been told that some locations offer an additional discount for foster families. You will need to call your local store to find out.
iFoster – iFoster was created to give power to the hundreds of thousands of caregivers scattered in every community across the country. iFoster provides 100s of Resources through partnerships with 100s of Companies, Government Agencies and Non-Profits Nationwide. Free and Deeply Discounted Products and Services are available to meet the biggest needs of our Children and Youth. We also provide Rewards for the accomplishments of your children or youth, job opportunities for your youth, and we are always ready to help ensure you get the resources you and your children are eligible for. Check out one of their awesome programs that provide low-cost phones to foster youth.
Thrive Market – Thrive Market is an organic food membership. If you’re a family in financial need—including students, teachers, veterans, nurses, and first responders—you could qualify for a free one-year membership through Thrive Gives. With it, you’ll get access to members-only benefits from Thrive Market.
Jambos – Jambos has provided over 3,000 pajamas directly to the doorsteps of children in foster care. You can request PJs for your kiddos on their website.
Free Car Seats – This blog post gives you a whole list of places that offer free car seats.
Mattress Firm Discount – (not verified) According to this article written in 2020, Mattress Firm will offer a discount for those caring for foster children.
Ashley Furniture Bed Giveaway – To nominate a deserving child in need of bed, please review the following qualifications. Underprivileged children between the ages of 3 and 16 who don’t have beds. Families with very low incomes living in poverty or transitioning from homelessness. Nominated by a school social worker, case manager, church, and other charitable organizations.
Becca’s Closet – Becca’s Closet is a nationwide initiative to provide prom dresses for girls who can’t afford to buy their own. You can start a chapter in your area, donate a dress, or find one for prom. Not only do they provide beautiful gowns for girls in need, they also have a few scholarship opportunities for continuing education.
Child Care & Activities
Foster family discounts for child care and various activities.
For the Children Royal Family Kid’s Camp – Royal Family KIDS Camp fosters resiliency, self-esteem, hope and positive memories. The camp curriculum and activities are woven through the modality of Trust-Based Relational Intervention to ensure our children are experiencing truly life giving activities throughout the 5-day experience.
CCAP – CCAP stands for Child Care Assistance Program. It is a government program that helps low-income families pay for child care. As a foster parent you can also apply in order to receive childcare for your foster kiddos. All 50 states and the District of Columbia offer a Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Eligibility and benefits vary from state to state, but most states have a sliding fee scale that bases the amount of assistance on family income.
Foster Families can apply for CCAP, however, your own personal income will be taken into account for eligibility. That being said, it is possible you many not quality, but I’d recommend checking it out and contacting your CCAP office to learn more.
Museums for All – Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card.
Every Kid Sports – Up to $150 per child to help cover registration fees for sports.
Kids Bowl Free – Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first-ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations.
YMCA Scholarships – (not verified) Check your local YMCA for discounts and scholarships that they may offer for membership, camps, sports, and lessons.
ABC Mouse – (not verified) ABC Mouse has been known to offer 2 free months for foster children using the program. The discount is on an individual basis, so you would need to contact customer support to see if your foster child qualifies.
Mentoring & Youth Impact
There are tons of ministries and organizations out there dedicated to impacting the lives of children in foster care. This section includes free and discounted activities to help change the lives of kiddos in foster care.
Dream Makers – Dream Makers is on a mission to change the lives of youth who have aged out of foster care by connecting the community to their needs. This program provides foster youth aged 15-25 the opportunity to have their dreams come true. Dream makers provides money up to $1,000 to foster youth with a dream that needs monetary support.
Foster Care to Success – a national non-profit organization helping foster youth ages 17-23 with scholarships, mentoring, and leadership/intern programs.
One Simple Wish – One Simple Wish spreads love, hope and joy to individuals impacted by foster care through simple, yet meaningful wishes. We make every effort to ensure that every wish is granted but do rely on our amazing supporters to make this possible. Grants are up to $500.
Room Redux – Room Redux is a nonprofit organization that focuses on transforming the rooms of children who have faced sexual or physical abuse. Room Redux has chapters across the world. If you are in one of these areas and are interested in getting involved, please contact your local chapter. Anyone can nominate a candidate for a Room Transformation.
Foster Love – (Formerly known as Together We Rise) Foster Love provides assistance to children in foster care and the foster community at large. We currently offer diverse services for foster youth through tangible resources, educational scholarships, and supplemental support to foster agencies and foster parents.
Ticket to Dream – Our goal is to bring resources, essential items, and childhood fun to as many foster youth as we can. To do this across the country as efficiently and quickly as possible we partner with 200+ non-profits who work in a variety of disciplines within foster care. These partners through their programs, events, and daily interactions with foster youth disperse the items we collect, fund support programs, and help enroll children in extra-curricular activities.
A Home Within – They provide open-ended, individual psychotherapy, free of charge, to current and former foster youth. With a mission to create and support lasting, caring relationships for children and youth in foster care, A Home Within identifies, recruits, trains, and supports a network of licensed therapists who each provide free, weekly, one-to-one therapy to a single foster youth “for as long as it takes.” For foster youth who often watch people move in and out of their lives, our model creates an anchor of support.
Foster Care Discounts By State
In this section, I share discounts and free stuff for foster families that are state specific. Don’t see your state listed, but know of some awesome resources we should add? Please share them in the comments below and we will gladly update our list here! The foster community thanks you!
Alabama:
Foster Village – Foster Village is a non-profit organization that provides support to foster and adoptive families in Alabama. They offer a variety of services, including respite care mentoring financial assistance, education and support groups. If you are a foster or adoptive parent, you can contact Foster Village for more information and support.
California:
Raising the Future – Raising the Future operates 8 California Family Resources Centers to provide direct support and services to all Parents, Children & Youth with a focus on Native American and foster families including free Weekly Evidence-Based Parents Anonymous® Groups and emotional support through calls, live chats and texting the California Parent and outh Helpline for diverse Parents, Children & Youth, material supports such as gift cards for groceries and other necessities, parenting resources including access to meditations and other Parent and Child development education resources and more.
California Alliance of Caregivers – California Alliance of Caregivers (CAC) represents the voices of relative and non-relative caregivers (resource families) to promote the well-being of children in foster care.
Advokids – Advokids provides the only free telephone hotline offering legal information to anyone concerned about a child in foster care in California. They offer lots of legal tools to help navigate the child welfare system.
Colorado:
Foster Source – Foster Source offers a lot of really great services for foster families including training, relief services, and even therapy for foster parents. You can request car seats, diapers, weighted blankets, mattresses, bunkbeds, respite, and even therapy all for free. In addition to individual therapy through BetterHelp, services are available for teens (age 13 and above) with TeenCounseling and couples through ReGain.
Big Hearts Clothing Closet – Big Hearts Closet is a nonprofit organization under Heritage Christian Center supporting foster care parents who can shop for free barely used items they may need when they accept a new placement. Foster parents can choose from clothes, books, games, toys, baby gear, and furniture. Foster parents can borrow and then return these items or choose to keep them. For more information and to receive a referral for, email bigheartsconnection@gmail.com or call 970-614-8660.
YMCA of the Rockies – YMCA of the Rockies will offer lodging for individual families in the cabins, lodges, yurts, or campgrounds at 50% of the published non-member rates. Families are welcome to receive this discount for stays with or without bringing the foster child/children. And they do not have to be actively fostering. However, they should have an active foster license. Must provide Foster Parent license or other proof of eligibility in order to receive the discounts.
Harbor Kids Care Center – Harbor Kids Care is hosted at Harbor Church in Westminster. They are Foster Friendly and offer a 75% discount on their childcare rates for foster families! Contact the director for more information.
Colorado YMCA Benefit Program – CSFPA and the YMCAs of Colorado have joined forces to offer this exciting benefit for foster children in placement with CSFPA’s foster family members. As a CSFPA member with foster children in your home, you can receive a 50% off the fees for family and youth memberships, sports and recreational programs such as aquatics, baseball, gymnastics, etc., summer day camps, and summer resident camps.
Love Your Neighbor Beds – Love Your Neighbor is a bunk bed ministry that provides beds to children and families in need across multiple Colorado counties. Established in 2018 in Colorado Springs, Love Your Neighbor specializes in building and delivering beds, supplying mattresses and essential bedding such as pillows, sheets, comforters, and more to support foster families, veterans, and families transitioning out of homelessness.
In addition, Love Your Neighbor provides opportunities for groups and families to serve together by offering build days in the woodshop that include organization team building, mentorship classes and special needs classes. We are intentional about including everyone and working to reach those that are pushed to the margins of society. We are here to love our neighbors.
Camp Chief Ouray – Camp Fire Circle Foster Family Scholarship – Foster families can receive a scholarship to send their kiddos to one of the YMCA camps. The policy is to award scholarships for campers to attend one week of traditional camp, one adventure trip, one Leadership Training program, or one Trekker program. The scholarship award will be a percentage of the program’s base fee.
Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) – The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families that are homeless, working, searching for work or in school find low-income child care assistance. Families that are enrolled in the Colorado Works Program can also use CCCAP services.
Meghan’s Wish – Meghan’s Wish Foundation was established with the sole purpose of reaching out to children entering the foster care system in the State of Colorado. The goal is to supply each child (ages 0-18) with a twenty-four-hour emergency tote bag of clothing, toiletries, toys, books, and a card of encouragement from various community members. We believe that, as a society, we should envelop these children in love and support to encourage them to break free from the hands they have been dealt.
Fundango – Fundango, is a respite program for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents in Colorado with children ages 0 to 17 years of age in their home. Staff are CBI/FBI checked and trauma-trained to work with the unique needs of our population. In our program, staff and volunteers focus on social/emotional learning through a variety of activities. Families receive temporary relief from everyday tasks in order to help reduce stress, to support family stability, prevent abuse and neglect, and minimize the need for out-of-home placement.
IdRaHaJe Camp – Located in Bailey, Colorado, IdRaHaJe is known for week-long Christian summer camps, custom made outdoor education experiences through the Mountain Lab School and winter retreats. They have a scholarship program called Campership that families with financial need can apply for. Email Registration@idrahaje.org for the application.
Teen Connect – The twice-per-month Teen Connect provides opportunities for up to 14 kids to participate in rock climbing in two different groups on Saturdays. This program is only designed for youth who are 13 to 18 years of age.
Colorado Shines Childcare Finder – The Colorado Shines Child Care Resource & Referral line at Mile High United Way offers families one-on-one support to find licensed, quality child care. Chat with someone via phone for assistance, or use their online search platform to find the right childcare for you. You can search to find a provider who accepts CCCAP.
Denver Head Start – Give your child a Head Start! Children in foster care are eligible for enrollment in Head Starts at no cost to foster families. Enrolling a child in care may potentially assist with childcare needs and offered other added benefits for the whole family as Head Start is a federally funded, quality early education program, helping children build a solid foundation for school achievement and a healthy lifestyle. Early Head Start (birth to age 3) and Head Start (ages 3-5) are available supports.
Discovery Church Broomfield Foster Group – We meet the last Sunday of every month from 2:30pm – 4:00pm (with some exceptions) at Discovery in the youth room downstairs. Childcare is available upon request. The childcare team requires one week notice so they can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for your children.
Elevated Connections – Formerly known as Camp to Belong Colorado, this camp is for youth ages 8-18 years old who are separated from their siblings through current or past involvement in the Child Welfare System.
Heritage Camps – They welcome families built by domestic adoption, foster care, and kinship. Camp programming is designed to respond to the specific experiences of domestic adoptive/foster families, covering topics such as relationships with birth families, attachment, and trauma. They offer stipends for those who need financial assistance.
Colorado Respite Coalition – The Colorado Respite Coalition is a network of families and community partners who have joined together to support Colorado families who are caring for individuals of all ages with any special health care needs. This includes intellectual and developmental disabilities, aging concerns and memory conditions, chronic conditions, behavioral challenges, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, neurological conditions, terminal illnesses and more. We provide respite information, resources and referrals to family and professional caregivers and community partners and a statewide Resources Database for families to locate caregivers.
Kathy’s Camp – This is a high-quality summer program designed to provide affordable childcare for working families with school-age children, while simultaneously exposing participating children to a traditional summer camp program that they might not otherwise ever experience. CCCAP accepted for registration.
Forward Steps Scholarship – Forward Steps is the only Colorado-based nonprofit organization focused solely on foster and former foster youth and post-secondary education. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must: 1) reside in Colorado and have experience in the foster care system, 2) be between the ages of 17-26 at application date, 3) attend a college, university or trade/vocational school in the Denver, Boulder or Ft. Collins area, 4) have obtained their high school diploma or GED, and 5) have unmet financial needs. Forward Steps provides scholarships of up to $9,000 per academic year, as well as 1:1 mentoring, tutoring, coaching and life-skills training.
Jeffco 4-H Summer Day Camps – Eagle’s Nest Owl’s Roost (ENOR) Environmental Discovery Camp is an award-winning program of CSU Extension Jefferson County 4-H program that has been providing outdoor learning experiences since 1974. They offer day camps for kids going into 4th – 6th grade. Scholarships are available through an application here.
Florida:
Foster Florida – Register as a Frontliner so that Foster Florida can advocate for you as a person and as part of a state-wide community, connect you to local Frontliners and Villagers via a chapter’s Facebook group where you can interact, ask questions and reach out for help, connect you to an ever-expanding Village of people invested in your success and the well-being of children, serve you by providing info, supplies and services, match you with a Villager for services like meals, prayer and childcare, provide encouragement and support in your journey
Illinois:
The James Project Homes – The James Project believes we can best help foster parents and the children they serve through the provision of homes with 4-5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. This enables parents to house a large family of foster children. These homes are owned and maintained by The James Project and are leased to fostering families for $1 per year. Our network of talented volunteers assist us in helping the families who live in these homes with weekly hot meal delivery, yard/housework, and maintenance projects. We help in any way we can to allow our foster parents to pour more time, energy, and love into their foster children.
Closet 1:27 – Managed by The James Project, Closet 1:27 serves foster families throughout Sangamon County. Through donations, Closet 1:27 provides clothing, shoes, beds, bedding, and necessities to newly placed foster children.
SPIDER – The Service Provider IDentification and Exploration Resource (SPIDER) is a free, comprehensive service resource database for youth and families in Illinois. SPIDER connects you to nearby organizations offering programs and services to support children and families, including detailed information on more than 1,700 agencies and over 4,200 social service programs. All agencies and programs are geo-coded to allow you to locate resources near your preferred location. SPIDER provides detailed information on agencies and programs that offer mental health services, caregiver support, educational advocacy, vocational and employment training, mentoring, enrichment programs like leadership development and after school programs and much more
The Restore Network – They offer the Foster & Adopt 201 Workshop. This workshop is open to all families who are enrolled in PRIDE training to become foster families as well as all current foster families. Attendance activates your Restore Network support. The support group offers foster families guidance, community, meals, celebrations, advocacy, clothing, practical resources, and prayer.
Indiana:
Access Pass – $2 entry for participating locations: Children’s Museum, BellaBoo’s, Conner Prarie, The Eiteljorg Museum, The Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites in Indianapolis, Indianapolis Ballet, INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY MUSEUM, The NCAA Hall of Champions, Newfields, RHYTHM! DISCOVERY CENTER, Terre Haute Children’s Museum, and WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology in Bloomington
Car Wash King in Noblesville – (not verified) I heard that they offer $3 off car washes for foster families.
Holiday World – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, and Tennessee Kids Belong to provide children in foster care free admission for one visit a year.
Kid’s Planet – (not verified) 20% off for foster families.
Marengo Cave – Free admission to either the Crystal Palace or Dripstone Trail walking tours for up to six foster, biological, or stepchildren 18 years old or younger living in the same household with an Indiana-licensed foster parent. At least one of the children must be a foster child currently living with the foster parent.
Kentucky:
Holiday World – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, and Tennessee Kids Belong to provide children in foster care free admission for one visit a year.
Massachusetts:
Rise Above – Rise Above funds individual activity wishes for foster children through an online application process. All children who are in the physical care and custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), are eligible.
Michigan:
Mosaic Clothing Co-Op – The Co-op is here to bless any Foster, Adoptive, Refugee, Kinship, or Safe Families family! There’s no item limit, and you can shop for all the kids in your family! We actively stock youth 0-12/14 as well as shoes, boots, coats, books, limited toys & baby items.
Michigan Fosters – We work to bring healing to foster children and their parents, both of whom have experienced trauma. We also lend encouragement and a listening ear to the foster families who accept the challenge of this exceptional work. By being the center–point for our foster care community, we promote a team-initiative while championing our common goals. Programs include Mitten Meals, MiBundles, The Bike Cycle bicycle exchange program, and the Journey Home gathering center.
New Jersey:
Foster the Family – Immediate support for foster families through emergency supplies, practical necessities, as well ascontinued holistic support through community and events.
Ohio:
Adoption Network Clevland – The Ohio Family Connection is an innovative non-profit organization that fulfills otherwise unmet needs for information, advocacy, education, and support for members of the adoption triad (adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive/kinship/foster parents), youth in foster care, siblings, and related professionals.
Pennsylvania:
The Fiaria Project – We are an award winning non-profit organization based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania dedicated to supporting foster families. We offer transition kits and wellness programs for children in foster care.
The Kindness Project – The Kindness Project provides free support to foster families throughout eastern Pennsylvania by supplying clothing, shoes, car seats, beds & other essential items for the children in their care.
Fostering Hope – Fostering Hope is dedicated to providing as many foster children in Southeastern PA as possible with a new duffle bag to use for their belongings when being placed into care or moving from one home to another.
South Carolina:
Premature Millionaires – South Carolina’s go-to resource for serving children currently in or aging out of the state foster care system while building a model of care and support that can be replicated nationwide.
Tennessee:
Holiday World – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, and Tennessee Kids Belong to provide children in foster care free admission for one visit a year.
Dollywood – The Dollywood Company welcomes foster families to spend time in their theme parks by providing free tickets for foster families. These ticket requests must be submitted through the representing foster organization. For information regarding the Foster Families program, your foster agency should inquire at guestservices@dollywood.com.
Texas:
Embrace Texas – Whether you’re in need of a toddler bed, toys, or gently used clothing, a local “foster closet” can be a great resource for your family. We’ve compiled a list of foster closets and resources serving families like yours in the DFW area.
Foster Village NT – Our Care Closet collects new items from members of our community, the village, which can then be redistributed to children and families who’s lives have intersected with our local child welfare system. With the use of our Care Closet, Foster Village North Texas is able to quickly and efficiently provide children with the items they need by customizing Welcome Packs.
SWAGG Programs – The SWAGG Store provides foster and homeless children with monthly “swaggtastic” shopping experiences. Some of the items available to assist with their daily needs are: A Case of Diapers/ Pull-Ups, Diaper Wipes/ Baby Hygiene Items, Clothing Items/ Shoes/ Socks/ Underwear, Grooming and Hygiene Items/ Feminine Items, School Uniforms/ School Supplies and Items, Baby Items/ Household/ Toys/ Miscellaneous Items, Seasonal Items and Additional Resources, SWAGG Activities & Experiences!
Utah:
Utah Respite Resources – This database of resources includes listings for 1-8 Hour Respite, Overnight/Weekend Respite, Parent to Parent, Educational, Crisis Respite, Summer Camps – available in counties around the state of Utah.
Lending Library – The Lending Library was created to deliver information and knowledge to parents and professionals who work with children who have challenges. The library is created in an easy-to-use format where patrons can check out up to three items at a time for up to six weeks, with postage included to return the items free of charge.
Utah Foster Care Training – Ongoing foster and adoptive parent training
Foster Parent Mentors – Any first-time foster parent may apply to receive mentoring services. You may also apply if you are a current foster family who has had several placements—or has taken on a higher level of care—and needs additional support.
Wishing Well Fund – Utah Foster Care operates the Wishing Well with the generous support of private donors, in order to help state-licensed foster parents pay for common childhood activities or to purchase needed items not covered under state funding for the children placed in their care. If special needs funds through DCFS have been used or are not available, you, your RFC, or the child’s caseworker may request up to $300 per child annually using the form below.
Washington:
The Mockingbird Society – The Mockingbird Family is an innovative foster care delivery model that creates an extended family network to support, develop and retain quality foster families so they can meet the challenging and complex needs of children and youth experiencing foster care. The design provides a framework and opportunity for communities to come together in support of its young people. Foster families are valued and retained, youth thrive and communities strengthen their support around children and families to keep them connected.
