Colorado State Foster Parent Association

Supporting Foster Parents Since 1971

In 1971, the Colorado State Foster Parent Association (CSFPA) was formed by a group of foster parents and professionals who wanted to make changes to laws related to foster care and create more resources for foster parents. Currently, the organization is headed up by  Executive Director Laura Schaad. CSFPA has a three-member board of directors and multiple volunteers, who work together to support resource fairs where foster parents can find resources, often free or provided at discounts from other community organizations. The organizations also helps foster families understand their rights in court.

“Last year we started hosting quarterly gatherings,” shared Laura. “These were resource events where we invited any nonprofit in the state of Colorado. We did one in Castle Rock, one in Lakewood, and one up north in Fort Collins. We invited local businesses as well as other nonprofits and local counties to come set up a booth and have games. We also offered training so foster families could learn about these resources.”

In addition to resources and training, the quarterly resource fairs also have fun family activities,like face painting, arts and crafts, bounce houses and carnival games. The fairs also offer lunch, and at some fairs there are meals for the families to take home. During the holiday season, the resource fairs feature a free toy “store” where parents shop for toys, bikes and other presents for their children. 

Membership to CSFPA is free for foster parents and the organization currently has 158 member families across the state. In their newsletter, the CSFPA compiles  available parenting classes and trainings for foster parents. They also sponsor giveaways for families, which includes things like birthday boxes for the kids that feature gift cards and decorations.. Member families also receive a 50% discount to all the YMCAs in Colorado and their camps and cabin rentals.CSFPA also helps member families with tangible goods when there are specific needs. 

“People have asked for help with things like school supplies and birthday gifts,” Laura added. “They have also asked for support with meals because they have a newborn in the NICU and they have three other kiddos at home. So, we’re helping meet the one-on-one needs of our members.”.

This year CSFPA is planning to start a support group for foster parents. The group will host both virtual and in-person meet-ups, often planning training opportunities as well.  This summer, the CSFPA is also piloting a new program in partnership with Colorado Adventure Point. The pilot is called Foster Forward and includes courses in finances, cooking, budgeting, resume writing, interviewing, drafting emails, and other life skills for older youth who are growing into adulthood. They plan to also offer gift cards from area restaurants, nail salons and other businesses for the youth, while also offering educational resources to help foster parents support the youth in their learning.

“We sent out a survey and we found the biggest gaps were for our foster parents who were working with kids that were aging out and helping find support and resources for those kids,” continued Laura “Foster parents will get the education and the hours to write off for their training hours parallel to the teens. So the teens have their own program and then the adults are learning how to help support them in the home. If we’re working on budgeting for example, we have a parallel class for our adults to give them real-life ways to give some ownership and accountability to the teens.”Foster parents and community members who would like to join the CSFPA can do so on their website.