{"id":2239,"date":"2020-06-01T15:00:36","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T15:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heartofadoptions.com\/?p=2239"},"modified":"2024-03-04T14:12:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T19:12:47","slug":"ways-to-support-children-in-foster-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartofadoptions.com\/ways-to-support-children-in-foster-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways to Support Children in Foster Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

As May concludes, and Foster Care Month<\/a> comes to an end, we thought it would be nice to share several ways that you can support children in foster care in Florida<\/a> without becoming a foster parent. Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n

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  1. Provide Respite Care.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    When children are in foster care, they must be under the supervision of an adult, who has been approved by the state, at all times. That means that foster parents aren\u2019t able to call the 16-year-old neighbor girl and ask her to babysit for a few hours. That\u2019s where Respite Care comes in. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to become certified by the state of Florida to provide Respite Care. It\u2019s as simple as filling out a form and submitting a copy of your driver\u2019s license. Respite Care isn\u2019t just about babysitting either, licensed providers can also host children for extended stays and provide them a safe space to stay during a time of transition. You can learn more about Respite Care in Florida here. <\/a><\/p>\n

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    1. Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Everyone needs someone to advocate for them, and that\u2019s precisely what a CASA does. Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers who are authorized to speak on behalf of a child in foster care. These volunteers spend time with the children, get to know them personally, and speak with everyone in the child\u2019s life – foster parents, birth parents, teachers, relatives, etc. From there, they take what they\u2019ve learned and make recommendations to the judge in the best interest of the child. CASAs are often a great source of stability in a child\u2019s life, and many people who become CASAs find their experiences to be quite rewarding. You can find a local CASA group here. <\/a><\/p>\n

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      1. Support a foster family.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        It\u2019s no secret that foster parenting can be a challenge. Therefore, foster families need all the support they can get. Committing to just a couple hours a help a month would mean a world of difference for the foster parents. Here are some basic ideas of how you can offer a helping hand.<\/p>\n