Starting a Successful Support Group for Foster Parents

Foster parents come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and religious backgrounds, just as the children who need temporary homes do. One thing a good foster parent should have is the common goal of being a child advocate. Starting a support group to help foster families is an admirable cause, but should be given careful consideration and planning. In order to sustain the group, families should initially come together and elect a leader.

Once a leader is established, a vision or mission statement should be prepared and every family needs to actively participate in its formation. After you have a common mission, set three to four goals, prepare by-laws, create a calendar for meetings and events, discuss financial responsibility, determine the process for becoming a non-profit organization, elect officers who will have specific duties as outlined in the by-laws, and publicize your group.

The process all needs to be recorded and a type of journal with records of all meetings kept. This can be handwritten or done on computer. The important thing is that all members provide input and receive a copy of all information and decisions made. Minutes should be kept at each meeting and a record of attendance should be documented as well. Meetings should be planned at a minimum of a monthly basis and additional correspondence should be established so that all foster families can receive consistent information in a timely manner.

The group should decide what your meeting times will be used for. As a support to families, it is usually a good idea to plan for babysitters and establish a method of payment ahead of time. Foster parents are required to have ongoing training, so training is definitely an option for a portion of your meetings. Invite guest speakers who can provide information and services to your families: WIC office, mental health providers, Smart Start program, YMCA, Partnership for Children, Family Support Services, local Food Banks, post-adoption services, and also your local Department of Social Services. Partnerships with your community agencies is key in establishing protocol for your families to receive assistance.

As a group, prepare your by-laws early on in the process as a tool to keep you on track. There will come a time when your families will have to be redirected to the initial intent of the support group. Name your support group and establish your nonprofit status in order to receive donations and raise funds for activities. Establish in your by-laws the rules governing monies coming in and monies exiting the group's account. Once you have established your name, set up a separate account for your support group. Your community bank will be glad to assist and will usually have separate guidelines for nonprofits. Carefully document cash flow. Vote on all expenditures so there will never come a time when finances create a problem. Remember, the focus should be to advocate for children.

Establish in your initial by-laws, a timeline for the election of new officers, officer positions, duties of each person, committee names, and leave open the opportunity to establish ad hoc committees. Ask all members to participate and share the planning and decision making. Even though you have elected a leader and other officers, all duties should not fall on the shoulders of one or two individuals. Input from each family should be expected and each family should be given respect and consideration.

As your foster parent support group expands, you will have a firm foundation if you plan and establish strong guidelines. Each family should have a copy of the by-laws and be accountable for attending meetings. To receive the benefits you will begin to receive through your networking and community partnerships, each family should be responsible for active participation in the group. For example: to be considered an active member in good standing, a foster family must attend 75 % of meetings and have paid any dues in full. They must also participate in fund raising efforts. As you can see, to be a successful foster parent support group, there are many considerations and duties. Each member should be given equal opportunities for participation and for benefits. One primary focus is to always refer back to your vision as a group to keep yourselves on the right track.