Whether you’re just starting out on your foster care journey, or you’ve been doing this for years, a strong support system is vital for your personal well-being. Unfortunately, during these times of social distancing and limited gatherings, maintaining those connections can be really challenging.
With or without a pandemic, foster care and adoption can be lonely. Sometimes, even the most well-intentioned family and friends can have trouble relating to your experience and the daily challenges (and, of course, joys!) that go along with it–from both physical and mental standpoints.
That’s why the Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Association (FCFCAA) exists. We are here to provide support as a group of people who have been in the trenches and “get” it. While our regular in-person gatherings have been put on hold for the time being, there are still opportunities to get connected to other foster families for support, advice and resource-sharing. As a grassroots organization of volunteers, we are only as strong as our members–and we all have a role to play. The association is founded on the mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for all parents of adopted and foster children.
In addition to facilitating connections, FCFCAA is proud to offer "The Closet," a free lending center offering clothes, baby gear, toys, sports equipment, and other critical supplies our foster families need for a surprise (or rapidly growing!) child. For more information, contact: FCFCAAmail@gmail.com.
FCFCAA also partners with generous community organizations and non-profits that offer trainings, support groups, childcare, grants, coat drives, and more to our local families. One such group, the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, offers the Our Children’s Fund, which provides financial assistance for "normalizing" items and experiences to children in the Fairfax County foster care system between the ages of birth and 17 years and young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 if permanency is not achieved. The fund covers everything from SAT prep classes, to music lessons, sports equipment and much more. The application process is simple, and requests are normally turned around quickly. Please check it out and consider how your placements might be able to benefit from these funds.
Get involved with FCFCAA by joining our Facebook group and Google group (email FCFCAAmail@gmail.com to be added to the list) where you can connect with others and access resources to help you in your foster journey.
Thanks for all you do!
Bethany Shively
President
Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Association (FCFCAA)
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care & Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.