New Year’s Resolutions in Foster Care

Happy New Year! This season creates the opportunity to reflect on the year passed and look forward to setting new goals in the year ahead. If you find yourself inspired by a fresh start, here are some foster care resolutions to consider setting to support your foster family. At Project 1.27, we are praying for renewed energy and enthusiasm for all our families and their support team members.  
 
Check in regularly: Set a phone/calendar reminder to pray for and contact your foster family regularly. Inquire of your family about any updated information or needs they have and share with the rest of the support team if there are any needs the team can meet.

Help your family stay placement ready: Certified families could be accepting a child of any age at a moment’s notice, so help your family stay prepared by networking with your team to update resources and items that would help meet basic needs at placement. Set aside items that any existing children in your home have outgrown, any unused travel hygiene items, or store anything that might be of use to the family when they need it. If your family already has a child placed, check in with the family about items might be needed to better care for that child.

Learn something new: Continue trauma based training and other resources that keep your mind fresh on the dynamics of foster care. There are materials online, in print, and in-person trainings offered throughout the year that can help you be an effective resource to your family and their foster child. A recent favorite we’ve heard our families appreciate is Reframing Foster Care by Jason Johnson. Click here for a list of other great books to consider.

Help your family practice self-care: One of the hardest parts of foster care is the intensity of the parenting it requires. Ensure your foster parents are having an opportunity to fill their tank by offering and coordinating respite relief. Nifty Fifty Ways to Self-Refresh includes 49 other self-care ideas you could help your family try.