Connect

Connecting families to each other

Meeting the tangible needs of children is only part of the weight that foster parents carry. One of the most important (but often overlooked) goals of parenting children coming from hard places is for them to feel a sense of connection. And as caregivers work to meet the emotional needs of the children in their care, they need support of their own - whether it’s a night out or someone to call when they are feeling overwhelmed or lonely.

Our goal is to create opportunities for foster families – both the children and the parents – to connect with each other. By connecting with other foster families, biological families, and trusted resources, families are strengthened and sustained, allowing them to continue providing a safe and stable place for the children in their care.

Events and Gatherings

We know that foster families are navigating a complex system and unique challenges that come hand-in-hand with caring for children from hard places. We want caregivers to know they are not alone. There are other families on the same journey who can offer understanding and encouragement. Our regular events and gatherings give foster families these much-needed avenues to connect with each other on a regular basis. These events are also a place where our team can provide specific training & expertise as families gather with others who truly 'get it'.

Types of events include:

  • Moms Gatherings
  • Dads Gatherings
  • Caregiver Gatherings
  • Parents’ Night Out events
  • Play Days
  • Family Gatherings
  • Equip Workshops, led by experts in different areas

Caregiver Support

For children who have experienced trauma or multiple transitions, it can be difficult to feel safe and securely attached in a new home, no matter how loving or supportive that home is.
Our Caregiver Support program is designed with several levels of support to meet families where they are right now. All of our caregiver support services are free-of-charge for foster, kinship, post-adopt, and reunified families in our coverage area. 

Project SOOTHe

For those caregivers who are learning to support their children's sensory processing needs, Project SOOTHe is an incredible fit. This program provides opportunities for caregivers to learn more about how to calm not only their child’s nervous system, but their own nervous systems too.

Therapeutic Support

For those families looking for more customized support, we offer ongoing, therapeutic coaching and resources to help caregivers support the children in their care in the best way possible. 

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) is a trauma-informed, therapeutic model that helps caregivers provide support to at-risk and vulnerable children. This modality can help improve safety, attachment, behavior, emotional regulation, and more - and it’s designed to empower families to support children who have experienced relational traumas. Several members of the Foster Village staff are trained TBRI® practitioners and offer free coaching to families, so they can learn how to use these tools in their home.

We also have a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who provides free therapy sessions by request to the caregivers we serve.

Caregiver Resource Helpline

Sometimes life throws challenges our way that feel too big for us to handle on our own. And for all of the caregivers we serve - foster, kinship, adoptive, and reunifying families - having a village of support can make a big difference.

Whether it’s finding available child care in your area or figuring out which community resources to access, our Foster Village team is here to help in those moments that can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate alone.

When you call or text our helpline, our Caregiver Support Coordinator will walk alongside you through that critical moment, listening to your need, and doing her best to point you in the right direction.

And while we might not offer a Foster Village program that will meet that specific need, we want to connect you to a support service that will. When you need a village of support, call (737) 377-6162.

 

 

“Foster Village went above and beyond to support my family during our foster care experience. We got connected through Parents Night Out then learned of the many services they provide to foster families, kinship caregivers, and biological parents: Family Gatherings, emergency placement resourcing (i.e. cribs, car seats, clothes, diapers, etc. for kids who were removed from their homes and came to us in the middle of the night), connection with other foster families, emotional support, and so much more. We were able to continue fostering in large part due to the holistic support provided to us by Foster Village, and I will forever be thankful for the work they do to honor and dignify every member of the foster care system!” - Ally