Partner Profile: Creating Foster Friendly Communities Through a Mobile App
You may not think a simple haircut can help foster families feel connected and respected, but Selena Miller sees the impact of this kind of connection with families every week at her hair salon, Mesdames Salon. One foster mom comes in regularly because she knows that Selena understands how to patiently and gently cut her foster boys’ hair so that they don’t react negatively. And when that same foster mom gets a discount at a local pizza restaurant or brings her kids for a night out at a faith-based organization who understands her boys’ trauma, she feels the larger support of a community that recognizes her role as a foster parent and supports her.
Up to 70% of new foster parents quit within the first one to two years. But many foster parents thrive with the support of a community. That’s the idea behind Foster Friendly Communities and the Foster Friendly app, according to Tracee Rudd, state director of Colorado Kids Belong and a certified foster parent, who launched the app in Colorado in 2022. At the time, she noticed how she and other foster parents frantically searched online for resources like therapy, camps, events or faith-based organizations that support foster families.
Rudd and a group of mothers like herself helped bring the Foster Friendly app to Colorado to help foster and kinship families easily find resources in their community all from one platform. She and her team also engaged with elected leaders, businesses, faith communities and nonprofits to encourage them to offer exclusive discounts and services to foster families. As a result, they created the first Foster Friendly community in Windsor, Colo. with more than 1,000 foster and kinship families who downloaded the app to search for valuable, practical discounts and services from close to 400 businesses, resources, faith-based organizations and events that support them. More Foster Friendly communities are in development throughout Colorado.
“Not everyone has the ability to foster a child, but everyone can do something to support foster and kinship families in their community,” said Rudd. “A discount on donuts or pizza isn’t going to change your life. But on those hard days, that discount can make the day easier for an exhausted foster parent and helps them foster stronger and longer. Together, we can change the experience for kids and families in foster care. Together, we can make a bigger impact. And families will see that all these people care and appreciate what they’re doing.”
Businesses can easily apply to be a part of the app and leverage what they are already doing to impact the foster community. According to Rudd, the discounts are similar to those given to veterans or teachers. Businesses who participate quickly become aware of the foster families in their community and want to support them. By providing a financial discount and meeting tangible needs, they are sending a greater message that these families are seen, respected, and that they are a valuable part of the community.
