Foster Care Month in May is a time when most agencies are focusing on “retention” or, as we like to call it, “support and development” of their existing foster families. But it’s also a time to shine a light on the need for new families. In this issue of Foster Care Footnotes, we are highlighting some ideas from agencies in Wisconsin who shared what they are planning to do to recruit new foster homes during the month of May.

  • One agency is working on a video which will feature foster parents talking about their experience and why they do what they do.
  • This same agency is also working on a traveling display. They hope to have a display case completed with children’s shoes in it to symbolize the number of children in out-of-home care in the county.
  •  Another agency is launching a new yard sign campaign to raise awareness in their area.
  • One agency is planning to do some advertising on their local web page and in local newspapers to draw some attention to stats throughout the nation, state, and their own region regarding the number of children in out-of-home care. They hope to do some coverage through a local television channel as well, where they plan to talk about Foster Care Month and their need for homes.
  • Another agency is kicking off the month with putting flyers on pizza boxes to recruit more foster homes. They also do a yard sign campaign. They collaborate with other agencies to discuss the need for “Everyday Heroes” on the radio and T.V. news.
  • The Foster Parent Champions of one agency have organized movie nights and presentations at their churches to both show appreciation for foster parents and also to recruit additional foster families for their county.