Foster Parent Support Group
We offer an opportunity for foster parents to come and confidentially discuss their concerns and struggles. From experience we know that foster parents are reluctant to share their concerns with their case managers out of fear of losing their child or not having new children place in the home. It is a realistic fear in that agencies are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining stability in the home.
Yes, we know that living with a foster child 24 hours a day 7 days a week without any real break places an undue burden on foster parents. This support group is 100% confidential. We do not report to, nor do we align with any agencies. Therefore you can talk about your personal concerns, your family stresses, your frustrations with the agencies, or any other issues.
The power of a group exists in the synergy that comes with multiple perspectives and experiences. Our group facilitator spent 20 years as a therapeutic foster parent, as a agency director, and as a caseworker. He helps struggling foster parents by offering insight and understanding. In addition, our expertise in assessing and treating compassion fatigue will help you too reduce the likelihood of both burn out and judgment errors which can lead to disciplinary actions, even to help prevent unnecessary allegations.
Find out more about joining a confidential foster parent support group. Our next group will begin mid-April, 2018. Registration begins in March. Foster parents are invited to attend Phase 1-First Steps group (first 4 sessions) free of charge. No registration fee is required, but you must sign up in advance.
Phase 2-Next Steps group, which lasts 10 weeks expands into psycho-educational training of advanced parenting skills which are proven to work with foster children. Phase 2 has a one time registration and material fee of $49. There are no weekly costs for Phase 2.
Phase 3-Continued Steps is an open and ongoing support group which allows foster parents to attend weekly, or even as needed, limited by available space. In Phase 3, parents are encouraged to come and engage in a weekly 90-minute open Forum discussion to help keep their skills sharp, and provide support during difficult times. Weekly session fee for Phase 3 is $10 per attendee or parenting couple.
The groups are limited to no more than 12 participants. To enter into phase 1 or Phase 2, you must pre-register. Phase 3 groups are managed based on continuing attendance needs. Phase 3 is open only to those foster parents who either attended Phase 1, or have been screened by the facilitator for appropriate inclusion in Phase 3.
Contact us below and include Foster Parent Group in your email to be contacted by our facilitator.