August 8, 2017 A program administered by Welfare Research, Inc. 8/8/2017 A program administered by Welfare Research, Inc. August 8, 2017

Mission of Fostering Futures NY (FFNY) 8/8/2017 Mission of Fostering Futures NY (FFNY) The FFNY program provides practical support and assistance to foster families who are responsible for providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for the children in their care. Most of these children have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma; foster parents are uniquely positioned to help them feel safe and begin to heal. FFNY teams of community volunteers support the foster parents in this critical role. August 8, 2017

FFNY Program Model August 8, 2017 8/8/2017 Recruit, train, screen and coordinate volunteer teams Teams matched to foster families referred by partner agencies Each team member commits to one supportive activity with family per month August 8, 2017

Goals of the Program Foster Parents Youth Reduce foster parent stress 8/8/2017 Goals of the Program Foster Parents Reduce foster parent stress Increase foster parent retention Create an “extended family” Youth Increase placement stability Expand opportunities for youth: educational, athletic, recreational Additional, healthy relationships for children in care August 8, 2017

Creating a Team: The Volunteers 8/8/2017 Creating a Team: The Volunteers Recruitment through Community Organizations minimum 4-6 volunteers Background Clearances NYS and Federal Criminal History, Sex offender Registry, NYS Motor Vehicle history, State Central Register Matched with foster family within 20 minute drive Volunteers commit to a minimum of one year, at least one activity, and one team meeting per month August 8, 2017

Role of FFNY Coordinators 8/8/2017 Role of FFNY Coordinators Each FFNY team has a coordinator Schedules, facilitates, and documents monthly team meetings Provides ongoing team development and support August 8, 2017

FFNY Foster Families Referred through partner agencies 8/8/2017 FFNY Foster Families Fostering for at least one year History of quality care Cares for sibling groups, adolescents, medically fragile, emotional or/behavioral issues Referred through partner agencies August 8, 2017

What FFNY Teams Do Enrichment activities with the children 8/8/2017 What FFNY Teams Do Foster Parent driven Tutoring and homework help Trusted childcare option Meal preparation and grocery shopping Laundry and household help/repairs Enrichment activities with the children Extra set of hands Non-judgmental listening August 8, 2017

Foster Parent feedback 8/8/2017 Foster Parent feedback Stress is decreased and feel less isolated More willing to care for children with challenging needs More likely to continue to foster Presenter: Marsha Anderson, foster parent and trainer in FFNY’s Speakers’ Bureau What has been your experience with FFNY? How is fostering different with an FFNY team than it was without a team? How have the children in your home reacted to having a FFNY team? Do you think FFNY helps foster parents keep fostering longer than they might without a team? Do you think FFNY can have an impact on foster parents’ willingness and ability to adopt children when that is the child’s permanency plan? Is there anything else you’d like to say about the program? August 8, 2017

Marcia Andersen, Foster Parent and MAPP Trainer 8/8/2017 Foster Parent Voice Marcia Andersen, Foster Parent and MAPP Trainer Presenter: Marsha Anderson, foster parent and trainer in FFNY’s Speakers’ Bureau What has been your experience with FFNY? How is fostering different with an FFNY team than it was without a team? How have the children in your home reacted to having a FFNY team? Do you think FFNY helps foster parents keep fostering longer than they might without a team? Do you think FFNY can have an impact on foster parents’ willingness and ability to adopt children when that is the child’s permanency plan? Is there anything else you’d like to say about the program? August 8, 2017

Partner Collaboration 8/8/2017 Partner Collaboration As part of the federal Diligent Recruitment grant, FFNY ... Assists agencies with innovative strategies for recruitment & retention Helps raise awareness about fostering in the community Presenter: Marsha Anderson, foster parent and trainer in FFNY’s Speakers’ Bureau What has been your experience with FFNY? How is fostering different with an FFNY team than it was without a team? How have the children in your home reacted to having a FFNY team? Do you think FFNY helps foster parents keep fostering longer than they might without a team? Do you think FFNY can have an impact on foster parents’ willingness and ability to adopt children when that is the child’s permanency plan? Is there anything else you’d like to say about the program? August 8, 2017

Agency Feedback Michelle Dowe Foster Home Finders & Adoption Supervisor Albany County Department For Children Youth and Families August 8, 2017

Website: www.welfareresearch.org Facebook: Fostering Futures NY 8/8/2017 For More Information Website: www.welfareresearch.org Facebook: Fostering Futures NY DARLENE WARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WELFARE RESEARCH, INC 518 713-4726 DWARD@WELFARERESEARCH.ORG August 8, 2017