MINISTRY AND SUPPORT

(Ways to support the larger foster community is listed down below)

BRING FOOD Prepare dinner for a family, stock their freezer with meals, or pack a basket full of yummy snacks.  Even a simple coffee for a foster parent with a new placement could be just the boost they need.

ORGANIZE A MEAL TRAIN This is especially important in the first couple of weeks after a new placement arrives. MealTrain.com is just one of the many websites available to make this process efficient and helpful for a family that deserves a little extra love.

SUPPLY DRIVE Be proactive and ask what the family needs before and after a new placement arrives and provide for them! 

WELCOME A NEW PLACEMENT When an infant, toddler, or teenager arrives to a new foster home, this time can be loaded with different kinds of emotions for everyone involved. Help the foster parents, as well as their own biological children, welcome the child into their home. Talk with the foster parents about how you can help with the transition.

BECOME A PRIMARY SUPPORT FOR A FAMILY Every foster family could benefit from a few people stepping up into their primary support circle and committing to help when it’s needed most. Two very big ways primary supporters can help are by regularly providing transportation and providing respite care.

BECOME A CASA WORKER A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), is a trained volunteer who advocates for the best interests of children in the court system who have experienced abuse or neglect.  It usually asks about 1 hr a week from a volunteer.

CHECK IN AND LISTEN This is a big one. Foster parenthood (and parenthood in general), and the busyness and complexity that comes with it, can often leave foster parents feeling isolated or overwhelmed. Regularly and proactively check in with your friends to see how they’re doing. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Pray with them. Simply listen.

HELP WITH EVERYDAY STUFF  You can bless a family by simply letting them know you’re available to help with day-to-day chores and errands. Most foster families feel awkward asking for specific needs but would gladly accept help with household tasks.

INVITE THE WHOLE FAMILY OVER FOR DINNER/PLAYDATE Invite the whole family over for dinner or a playdate. Warmth and hospitality, and welcoming a child into a bigger community, is a powerful way to show Christ’s love to both the child and the family.

PROVIDE PARENTING CLASSES Parenting classes could provide a valuable resource to foster families and to families whose children are in foster care.  Many parents whose children are removed have neglected basic needs for their children and often need training to bring their children home.  

GIFT THEM THEM MEMBERSHIP PASSES OR DAY TRIPS Foster families and kids in care enjoy the same activities that you do! Gift them a day pass to a nearby water park or activity center. Offer them a membership to the zoo or the city pool. 

PRAY Finally — and firstly — pray. There are battles going on that we can’t always see. Pray for the child. Pray for their biological families. Pray for their foster parents. Pray for the biological children of the foster parents. 

*Taken from Go Project (https://goproject.org/10-meaningful-ways-to-support-a-foster-family/)

PARTNER WITH YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS Provide resources to foster families.  Many school districts have information on hand about children who are in foster care in their district.  Talk to a district ‘Community Resource Liasson. We can provide you information about your local community liaison.

PARTNER WITH YOUR COUNTY.  Your local county agency is a great place to begin partnering with your community and creating an ongoing ministry relationship.  Counties are often understaffed and overwhelmed.  Your support can provide much needed care to foster families and county staff.

PARTNER WITH AN FFA OR FOSTER ORGANIZATION.   Foster Family Agencies (FFA) work directly with foster families.  Foster Organizations are geared to help meet the needs of foster families.  A partnership is a great way to begin ministering to the foster community.

BUILD A RESPITE CARE TEAM Certified babysitters can watch a child for a short period of time (generally less than 48 hours). When extended breaks are needed or travel plans require it, respite care providers are needed. These are extremely hard to find. Have a team at your church ready! 

HOST A CHILD CARE DATE NIGHT Once a quarter or every semester (or even once a month) the church can hire certified babysitters for a Friday or Saturday night and allow foster families from the church and community (hint: outreach!) the chance to go on a date!

GIVING TREE AT CHRISTMAS/BIRTHDAY PARTY Bless foster families with gifts during Christmas or for a birthday.  Many kids in foster care have never had a real Christmas or birthday party.  A church can provide a Christmas or birthday party a child will never forget!

PARTNER WITH A ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP. RFKC is a camp that invites kids in foster care to a week long camp where they experience a camp of a lifetime just for them.  You can find out more by going to their website to find a local camp near you.  You also can host a camp through RFKC. (WEBSITE)

DELIVER CARE PACKAGES Most placements occur with little to no notice. Often times within hours. Have things like diapers, gift cards, baby supplies, and other necessities ready to go to be dropped off to a family immediately after receiving a child. 

HOST A CPR EVENT Many churches host CPR events for volunteers.  Open the CPR training to foster families.  Foster families are required to have CPR training to obtain their foster license.

CERTIFY BABY SITTERS It is illegal to leave a foster child with a babysitter that is not (in most cases) CPR certified and background checked. This means most families struggle to find babysitters. Host CPR certification classes at the church. Have sitters ready for families!

CONDUCT DEDICATION CEREMONIES Most churches celebrate Parent/Child Dedication ceremonies during the year. Do the same for foster families. When they bring in a new placement pray for them in front of the church and have the body commit to support them! (Don't bring the child up, just the parents.)

PRAY Pray for them. They are engaged in a spiritual battle over the lives of incredibly vulnerable children. They are standing on the frontlines and in the gaps for these kids while willingly placing themselves in the path of the Enemy's attacks. 

*Some Information has been taken from the Jason Johnson Blog, with some edits and additions from Foster Hope.  (source: https://jasonjohnsonblog.com/blog/ten-simple-ways-your-church-can-serve-foster-families)