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

2. Mission of Fostering Futures NY (FFNY)
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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.
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3. 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
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4. Goals of the Program Foster Parents Youth Reduce foster parent stress
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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

5. Creating a Team: The Volunteers
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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
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6. Role of FFNY Coordinators
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Role of FFNY Coordinators
Each FFNY team has a coordinator
Schedules, facilitates, and documents monthly team meetings
Provides ongoing team development and support
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7. FFNY Foster Families Referred through partner agencies
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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
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8. What FFNY Teams Do Enrichment activities with the children
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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
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9. Foster Parent feedback
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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

10. Marcia Andersen, Foster Parent and MAPP Trainer
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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

11. Partner Collaboration
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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

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

13. Website: www.welfareresearch.org Facebook: Fostering Futures NY
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For More Information
Website: Facebook: Fostering Futures NY
DARLENE WARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WELFARE RESEARCH, INC
August 8, 2017