Unique Ways to Bless Foster Families

Sometimes it can be hard to identify ways to bless a foster family as they navigate through foster care. From the outside looking in, it is difficult to understand the day to day needs or to know what provides tangible help. In addition to re-visiting your Support Team Roster, below are some unique suggestions to show appreciation and support to your foster family. Pick an idea that fits you and follow through. Instead of saying,  “When would be a good time to bring you a meal?” you could instead suggest, “I am free on Thursday to bring your family dinner. Does everyone like pizza? Does that work for your schedule?” When support team members remember to keep checking in and offering help, it makes all the difference in giving a family the relief and energy they need to keep providing high-quality care to children. 

Host a virtual card drive: Is your family encouraged by words of affirmation? Consider rallying the members of your support team and beyond to email encouraging notes to your family. Remind them that they are doing good work and are supported by those they love.

​Give a gas card: Foster families have many weekly appointments to maintain for their foster child, some of which can be a great distance. A gas card can go a long way in helping ease the expense of travel.

Offer assistance during nap or bedtime: Often times settling and preparing for sleep times are some of the most stressful of the day’s activities. As appropriate, consider helping during these times, and bring a favorite treat to share with your foster family after the children are sleeping!

Care for their pets: Sometimes getting the dog out for a walk or picking up a bag of pet food from the store can be tasks that get put on the backburner. Offer to stop by and give the household pets a little attention and exercise.

Get a background check: Getting a background clearance is a great way to support a family with respite and whatever else they may need. By completing a simple fingerprint and background check, you can be a state-approved resource for whatever the foster family may need.

Send books or sponsor an audiobook subscription: Foster parents have to meet set training hour requirements each year, and materials related to learning more about foster care and parenting can count towards some of their hours.

Hire a housekeeper: Seemingly small household tasks can be difficult to get to in the business of parenting children from hard places, never-ending appointments and other family commitments. Offering to schedule and pay a housekeeper every couple of weeks for those labor-intensive areas could be a huge blessing to the entire household!