Learn How You Can Support Foster Families

 

Everyone Matters!

When a family welcomes a child from foster care, family dynamics undergo enormous changes.

The new family member often arrives with many new time-consuming events such as caseworker meetings, biological family visits, dentist and doctor appointments, and evaluations with mental health providers and therapists.  All of this time focused on a single child may leave other children in the family feeling left out and unimportant.

In order to create a united, thriving family, parents need to ensure each family member feels heard and cared for; that everyone in the family has a voice. With a little extra effort and help from support team members, foster parents can give voice and needed attention to all family members.

 

Ways to Support Individual Connection   Support team members can give parents the time and space to connect with each child individually by: Deliver meals to the family you’re supporting so they can spend meal-prep time with an individual family member. Volunteer to spend extra time with the other children. Take them out for a treat, drive them to after-school activities or help with homework one night each week. Build a special connection with one child, be proactive about checking in and find out how that child is adjusting to the changes within their family. Spend time with the child in foster care in order to give the rest of the family time together to assess and openly share about transition challenges. Offer to pick up all the children and take them swimming at your neighborhood pool so parents can have time to work on their relationship.   Learn More Ways to Support A Family in "The Guide" View Past Support Team Newsletters

Family Movie Night for Adoptive, Foster & Safe Families

The Children's Closet

The Children's Closet, housed at Calvary Community Church in Schaumburg, provides support to DCFS & Safe families by supplying clothes for boys & girls and New Placement Packs with basic supplies. They also lend small child equipment to families with temporary placements.

Currently The Children's Closet is in need of the following:

* Boys clothing, size 12 and 18 months

* Girls clothing, size 10 and up

* Pack & Plays.

* Car Seats

If you would like to make a donation or are in need of any items contact Lisa at phalen245@comcast.net

Summer Picnic 2010

On June 13th, foster, adoptive and Safe Families from Willow Creek North Shore, Willow Creek So. Barrington, and other area churches, joined together to enjoy a summer picnic. Parents had a great time of connecting with other foster & adoptive families while the kids enjoyed face-painting, animal balloons and a playground. We all enjoyed TONS of really great food! Thanks to all who came out. Here are a few pictures of our time together.