Foster Family Resources

National Foster Parent Association: http://www.nfpainc.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1105712

Mission: To support foster parents in achieving safety, permanence and well-being for the children and youth in their care.
Primary Activities:
* Promote the delivery of services and supports to foster families
• Support quality foster care by promoting excellence and best practice
• Provide services and supports to state and local foster parent associations
• Develop and provide education and training, information, dissemination of information to the public
• Advocate at the local, state and national level; promote networking and collaboration
• Promote positive image of family foster care; greater visibility; encourage active involvement


iFoster: www.ifoster.org

iFoster provides life changing resources for at-risk children and youth to put them on the path to becoming independent successful adults.
By leveraging technology and aggregating a community of millions of voices and billions of dollars in purchasing power, iFoster attracts new external resources and supports from national and local corporations, philanthropy and non-profits. iFoster empowers these children and youth and their families to change their own lives, forever.

* Over 12,000 members including youth, families, non-profit and gov't agencies in child welfare
* Over 1,250,000 children & youth supported by iFoster members.
* Over 1,500 computers delivered enabling 3,000+ children and youth.
* Over $20 Million in savings realized.


California

Foster Youth Services:    http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/index.asp

Per their website, “FYS programs have the ability and authority to ensure that health and school records are obtained to establish appropriate placements and coordinate instruction, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, vocational training, emancipation services, training for independent living, and other related services. FYS programs increase the stability of placements for foster children and youth. These services are designed to improve the children's educational performance and personal achievement, directly benefiting them as well as providing long-range cost savings to the state.” In a nutshell, through FYS you will find an advocate with in each county office of education that will help to make sure your foster child’s educational needs are being met.

Oregon

Oregon Foster Youth Connection:   http://www.oryouthconnection.org/

Per their website, “Oregon Foster Youth Connection (OFYC), a program of Children First for Oregon (CFFO), is a statewide, youth led, advocacy group of current and former foster youth between 14 – 25 years of age. OFYC is completely youth led, meaning youth members shape every aspect of what OFYC is, how it is structured, which policies to work on, and what activities to participate in. OFYC, with support from CFFO staff, and training from the National Foster Youth Action Network (NFYAN), OFYC trains and empowers youth to actively participate in the development of policies, programs, and practices that improve the lives of the thousands of kids in foster care.”

Oregon Foster Parent Association:   http://www.ofpa.com/

The Oregon Foster Parent Association (OFPA) is a statewide association operating within the foster, relative, and adoptive community in Oregon. Founded in 1996, the organization’s mission is “to empower, support, and advocate for foster, relative, and adoptive families who enrich the qualify of life for Oregon’s children.”

If you know of a resource that you believe will be helpful for foster families, please message so that I can include it here. Thank you!