Partnering with Foster Family
WHY: Foster families typically only receive a few hours notice prior to a child being dropped off at their home. The child usually comes with almost no personal belongings after experiencing trauma from neglect, abuse, poverty, addiction, mental health crises and now the separation from their family. They are devastated.
A foster family has to immediately be ready to provide for and support the child’s EVERY need, all while hosting countless caseworker visits, chasing medical information, scheduling and attending bio family visits and medical appointments, meeting new teachers, adjusting to a new schedule, etc, etc.
Partnering with a Reunifying Family
WHY: Biological families are battling against the impacts of generational trauma, mental health crises, poverty, addiction, social and system injustices, and family separation. At the point of reunification, they have worked extremely hard to heal and to create healthier, safer, and stronger family units. Reunification is something to be greatly celebrated, but it's important to recognize that reunification is a transition and change, even good change can be difficult.
Though there has been healing, time spent apart in the foster system often has significant impacts on each member of the family. Parents are striving to maintain their own personal growth, while taking back full responsibility for all the needs of their children; children who have grown and changed, and been hurt deeply by the entire experience. Everyone is adjusting to a new, often complicated dynamic.
HOW TO HELP: Partnering with a foster family or reunifying family means supporting them in the first two weeks, after a child comes into their home. A Partner commits to dropping off a meal (home cooked, store bought or delivery) each week. The hope is that in addition, they contact the family to check in, send an encouraging card, voicemail or text, drop off a coffee or find other meaningful ways to connect.
Requirements:
-Volunteer Application.
-State criminal history reports.
-Pennsylvania child abuse clearances.
**FBI clearances may be required under some circumstances.