Content editor:
Stephanie Jimenez
Describes the basic aspects of the fostering experience, including partnering with the child’s caseworker, meeting the child’s needs, preventing burnout, and learning resources.
Website: http://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/parenting-support/for-foster-parents
Discusses the feeling and challenges foster parents experience during their first placement. The article also provides guidance to address questions foster parents may have for their caseworkers and provides suggestions on first steps they can make once their children arrive for their first nights.
Website: http://www.adoption.net/a/parenting/blogs-parenting/welcoming-a-foster-child-into-your-home/9202/
A guide to help parents gain a better understanding of the importance of positive connections with birth parents and offers ways for resource parents to contribute to the success of these partnerships.
Website: http://www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/ResourceParentsPartneringWithBirthParents.pdf
Provides help for parents and caregivers whose teen might be or is experiencing substance abuse and/or stress from a traumatic event.
English: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/teen_coping_substance_abuse.pdf
Spanish: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/ayudando_a_su_adolescente.pdf
This article explains how witnessing domestic violence can impact children, and what strategies foster parents can use to help such children.
Website:
http://fosteringperspectives.org/fpv12n2/williams.htm
A factsheet discusses how foster and adoptive parents can help children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuses. It provides basic information about sexual abuse and links to other information so that parents can educate themselves about the topic.
Suggestions on how foster parents mange children’s medications, including a list of psychotropic medication.
An article on prevention of suicide of foster children with lists of risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide.
Advices for foster parents how to protect foster youth from teen dating violence, including signs of teen dating violence.
Summarizes signs of intoxication, use, and abuse commonly reported by substance users, and provides descriptions of numerous substances and their use.
Website: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/C_Infocards_4-18-07_5-4-07.pdf
A factsheet written for foster parents to help them learn about LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. Also included are links to resources for more information and support.
A guide that outlines the ideas and perspectives of young people in foster care and what can be done to provide more normal experiences for these youth.
Website: http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-whatyoungpeopleneedtothrive-2015.pdf
A guide detailing the unique challenges of foster youth, adolescent development and changes, laws and programs to support transitioning youth, and the critical role of foster parents.
A website that provides resources and a forum for child welfare professionals, foster, kinship, and adoptive parents.
Website: http://fosteringperspectives.org/
Though not created specifically for foster parents, this is a resourceful website that provides information on various mental illnesses, from ADHD to bipolar disorder to schizophrenia. It details warning signs of mental illnesses, conditions of different illnesses, medications and treatments.
Website: http://www.nami.org/
Stonewall Alliance is committed to cultivating a safe, open, inclusive environment for all members of the gender and sexual minority (GSM)* and ally community. Stonewall Alliance unites, strengthens, and affirms the community through support, resources, education, advocacy, and celebration.
Website: http://www.stonewallchico.org/
Provides services for recovery from mental health and substance abuse issues and to promote wellness, resiliency and hope.
Website: http://www.buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth/Home.aspx
Phone: (530) 891-2810