CFSP 5 Year Plan - RI Department of Children, Youth & Families

newspapers), the Rhode Island Media Group (10 suburban weekly newspapers), the Rhode Island
Family Guide, and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association quarterly newsletter. We have four
different print ads depicting children of varied ages and ethnicities which we rotate. These
advertising efforts make up the backbone of our recruitment campaign and serve as weekly
reminders of the ongoing need for foster parents. As research has indicated that families typically
think about fostering for one year prior to applying, it is important to maintain a continuous
advertising presence.
• Recruitment Events - Informational Booths and Presentations
Our recruitment events are aimed at disseminating information on foster parenting to the general
public, dispelling some of the erroneous myths regarding foster parenting, and encouraging people
to consider the idea of opening their homes to foster children. Towards these ends, a wide variety
of activities were conducted directed at a diverse population. Informational booths were staffed at
community fairs, festivals and events during this time period. Recruitment information was
distributed at conferences, community sites, businesses, and churches. These combined activities
afforded Departmental staff the opportunity to speak directly with many prospective applicants in a
family friendly, comfortable setting and to distribute large numbers of recruitment materials
personally.
• Informational Meetings
During this fiscal year, we have maintained our schedule of informational meetings for prospective
foster parents. In partnership with DCYF regional offices and community groups, monthly
informational meetings were held. The goal of these meetings is threefold: they provide a
comfortable setting for interested persons to gain additional information regarding foster care and
to meet actual foster parents; they provide us with valuable free advertising in the form of news
articles from press releases and mention in what’s happening columns of area newspapers, cable
and television stations, and web sites; and they provide us with opportunities for continued
outreach to follow-up regularly with callers who requested information on foster parenting but did
not return completed applications
• Foster Family Referral Program
The Department continues to contract with the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association to
implement a foster parent referral program in which foster parents receive financial incentives for
referring prospective foster parents and for hosting recruitment parties in their homes and
communities. The financial incentive was substantially increased to encourage greater
participation. The program is advertised in the Foster Parent Newsletter and special mailings and is
based upon the philosophy that satisfied foster parents often make the best recruiters.
• Targeted Recruitment Effort
These activities represent our efforts directed at reaching specific populations with foster parent
recruitment materials through mailed packets of information containing a recruitment notice
suitable for publication in newsletters and bulletins; an offer to hold an informational session on
becoming a foster parent on site; posters for display; and brochures and fliers for distribution.
R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families
Title IV-B Child and Family Service Plan – 2010 - 2014
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