How to help kids in foster care

Many people are not in a place where they can make the long-term commitment to being a foster parent but they want to help. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to help young people in foster care, foster parents, and kinship caregivers.

Become a respite foster care provider. 

Respite care providers offer foster parents and children a chance to regroup and get away. They receive the same training and certification as foster parents and are always in high demand. Many counties and child placement agencies offer respite training. You can fill out a foster care/adoption interest form for county-specific infortmation here.

Become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

A Court-Appointed Special Adovcate (CASA) is a volunteer who is appointed by the court to make sure a child’s voice and best interests are represented in court. A CASA is assigned one case at a time and may visit anywhere from twice a month to once a week and often keep in close communication with GALs and caseworkers. In addition to meeting with the children, CASAs also have access to case files, interview everyone involved in the case, and then present their findings in a written report for the court. CASAs frequently have lifelong bonds with the young people they serve offering support and guidance for youth as they are entering adulthood. No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. Once accepted into the program, CASAs receive training in courtroom procedures, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of children and youth who have experienced trauma. Learn more at www.coloradocasa.org.

Support non-profit organizations providing support to foster families.

Several Colorado nonprofits offer support and training to foster parents. The Colorado State Foster Parent Association (CSFPA) provides education programs, support referrals and advocacy to foster, kinship and adoptive families throughout Colorado and accepts charitable donations. Learn more about CSFPA.

Foster Source was founded in 2016 by former Adams County foster parents Renee and Brian Bernhard to help foster parents foster better and foster longer. This organization offers continuing education, foster parent support groups, and helps foster families with needs and wishes. In addition to accepting financial donations, this organization also accepts donations of diapers, wipes and items on their Amazon wish list and gift cards in any denominations to distribute to foster families. Foster Source is currently offering all of its training and support groups online and is delivering prepared meals and supplies to foster families. Learn more about Foster Source.

Elevating Connections believes the sibling relationship should be given the same priority as the parent-child relationship. This Colorado based non-profit hosts connection events and a summer camp for help siblings who have been separated by the foster care system so they can enjoy lifelong relationships. This organization has both volunteer and donation opportunities.

The Colorado State Foster Parent Association CSFPA is a non-profit organization  created by foster parents to provide educational opportunities and resources for Colorado  foster, kinship and adoptive families. Additionally, CSFPA supports foster parents and kinship caregivers through member benefits, and participation on state and regional committees and task forces and has developed mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations and businesses. This organization accepts individual donations and has volunteer opportunities.  CSFPA is currently accepting volunteer applications for tutors for our foster youth and one on one mentorships for first year foster parents. 

Those who would like to donate clothing, suitcases and other items should contact their local department of human services to see if they are accepting donations.

Volunteer to connect with a foster or kinship family through the neighbor program.

Founded in 2017, the Neighbor Program (formerly Foster Together) connects participating kinship and foster families with their own volunteer “neighbor” who can provide connection and community support. Neighbors deliver meals, groceries, or care packages to one family for six months, building a friendship through encouraging notes and phone calls. This community support shows up to provide connection and support to foster and kinship families in their communities. Learn more about becoming a “neighbor.”

Volunteer with your faith community

Fostering Hope works with support teams from faith communities in El Paso county to provide a wide varity of support to foster families and youth in foster care who are transitioning to adulthood.

Project 1.27’s FamiliesCare program connects families at risk of child removal with a trained group of caring people from a local church to promote safety, stability and well being for families, build community among families and decrease out-of-home placements for children. This program is currently active in Arapahoe, Weld and Mesa counties.

CarePortal allows child welfare workers to uncover the needs of children and families they work with and request goods and services on their behalf. These real-time requests are then answered by faith-based organizations in the community who desire to help. CarePortal is active in El Paso, Pueblo Teller, Mesa, Arapahoe, Freemont, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties. Learn how congregations can get involved.

Colorado’s Kids Belong also works with faith communities to help them become foster-friendly.

Become a foster-friendly small business.

Businesses can become a Foster Friendly business through Colorado’s Kids Belong. Small business owners who rely on kids, families and parents to grow, anyone from restaurants, car dealers, salon owners and photographer to family-friendly recreation and entertainment destinations, can offer special deals for foster families. Small businesses can offer foster families exclusive service offerings or discounts to support foster families their communities through America’s Kid’s Belong Foster Friendly program. Colorado’s Foster Friendly App connects businesses with kinship and foster families to offer special offers and discounts. Become a Foster Friendly business.

Fostering Hope works with El Paso county businesses across a variety of industries and professions, who have helped young people transitioning out of foster care launch into meaningful jobs and new career paths. Participate as a business owner or leader.