Final Report - RI Department of Children, Youth & Families

APPENDIX L: FOSTER CARE COMMITTEE REPORT
4. Life Skills Open House would be the initial introduction for foster parents, teens, Life
Skills staff, and Board Members of the Association to the RIFPA facility. Meeting the
staff at the Association and becoming aware of the programs and services available to
foster families, foster parents may increase the retention of teens in their homes.
Recognizing that many teens find their own foster homes that become licensed, they
are a prime resource for recruitment of foster homes. As they are fazed out of the
home due to age or higher education, the home may be utilized for another teen rather
than closed.
5. Presently the RIFPA is implementing an Enrichment Program, which will provide
funding for youth under the age of 14 to pursue an activity that they feel would
enhance their confidence and creativity. With this funding available, it would assist
the foster parents in contributing less of their own funding in order that the foster child
be able to pursue a dream. With less out-of pocket expense, we should be able to
recruit and retain more foster families.
6. A Mentor Social would be implemented to allow mentors and mentorees the
opportunity to meet quarterly in addition to phoning on a regular basis. This social
gathering would form a stronger bond and trust between mentor and mentoree. It
would also serve as a future opportunity for a new foster parent to feel confident
enough through her own experience to recommend fostering to others.
7. On-site training would provide a central locale within the state to offer training that
would be helpful in raising foster children. It would also be collaboration with DCYF
and strengthen the relationship between the two organizations that are both working
for the foster children in hopes of recruiting and retaining good foster parents.
8. Develop a Resource Center of information through books, videos, and any other forms
of material that may be helpful to a foster child or foster parent. The resource center
would assist foster parents in gaining knowledge about a particular issue that is
plaguing the home. Accessing the information may help in retaining the home. The
resource center would be located at the RIFPA office.
9. Develop recruitment opportunities for foster parents of adolescents in conjunction
with the Life Skills Program. Initiate a support group for teens in foster care ages 13
and up that may be matched with an appropriate Life Skills Graduate to be utilized as
Youth Mentors. Work with the Life Skills Coordinator to develop support groups,
services, and trainings for foster parents of adolescents and encourage foster parent
participation in a parent advisory board or committee.
10. Increase staff to include a full-time Executive Director. With the leadership of the
Executive Director in place all of the above goals attainable. With additional funding
as well as grant writing, additional ideals can become a reality.
11. The Mentor Coordinator will hire two new mentors who will be minorities.
12. Regional Chapters will be organized and meetings to be held on a regular basis.
These meetings will be advertised in the monthly Newsletter with dates, times, and
System of Care Task Force Report (January 2003) 141