Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is excited about the growth and support we experienced on every level over the past six months. FFA-NC has partnered with new organizations to make our support more robust and to learn exactly what is offered across our state. We’ve also grown, expanding from two to five staff members. Ultimately, we have to give the kudos to you, our partners, for helping us secure funding and participating in various ways.
As the executive director of FFA-NC, I have conversations daily about resource families in North Carolina. I never miss an opportunity to tell others about your amazing work and the strength you demonstrate in sometimes very difficult circumstances. You directly support some of our most vulnerable children and youth. Thank you for your dedication and service. Thank you for your feedback and being a voice for change. I am honored to walk this walk with you and humbled daily by the perseverance and heart resource parents have.
This foster care journey has been hard, but it is truly the most rewarding experience. I have seen healing occur for my adoptive children that I wasn’t expecting to happen. I’ve seen babies who have been exposed to substances thrive. I’ve seen families reunited thanks to collaboration by organizations statewide!
Please let FFA-NC know if you ever need help, support, or just an ear to listen.
You can reach us via email ([email protected]), phone (800/578-7770), or on our website (https://www.ffa-nc.org/).
– Fostering with you, Gaile Osborne
What Does FFA-NC Do?
We want to be your one-stop-shop for all things foster/kinship/adoptive parenting. Whether you are wanting to connect just to get on our news- letter list, learning about the steps to becoming a foster parent, discussing a parenting situation you are experiencing, or just needing to hear another voice on the other end of the line that understands your journey, we are here to help. Every person employed by Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina has direct experience of foster, kinship, or adoption care in our state. Most currently have children placed in their homes, and many of us have adopted. We live your life and want to help any way we can.
Join us at Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina so we can support you on your journey. https://www.ffa-nc.org/membership
Did You Know?
Did you know as a North Carolina foster parent you are eligible to get Non-Emergency Medicaid Mileage Reimbursement? To do so, you must contact the NC Department of Health and Human Services in the county in which you reside. Ask for the Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation contact in your county. From there, you should receive a contract to be reimbursed at 29 cents per mile for any Medicaid billable services.
Think about using this if you are doing weekly therapy appointments, doctor visits, medication management, etc. Every little bit adds up. If you are having difficulties securing this service, please email Gaile Osborne at [email protected].
Training
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina offers training you can use towards your required training hours. At least once per month, we are offering online training on topics relevant to resource families. See the calendar here: https://bit.ly/trainingwithFFA-NC
Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for volunteers across North Carolina. If you are interested, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator via this form: https://bit.ly/volunteerwithFFA-NC
Advisory Boards
We are currently recruiting people to be on our advisory boards. We have one for foster parents, kinship parents, adoptive parents, and professionals. We hope to recruit in the future for former foster youth and other areas we want feedback. If you are interested, please fill out the form here: https://bit.ly/advisoryboardsffa-nc
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is constantly looking for partners to help reach all 100 counties in our state. If you know of an organization, workplace, agency, etcetera that might be interested in partnering with us, please contact [email protected]. No matter how big or small the relationship or organization, we are prepared to share our information and how we can collaborate to meet the needs of you, our resource parents.
Post-Adoption Support in North Carolina
Have you adopted in the past? Do you need support now? NC DHHS has contracts with multiple agencies across North Carolina to provide post- adoption support. Please see the information here to guide you on whom to contact in your county: https://bit.ly/ffa-ncpostadoptive
Resource Family Curriculum
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is in the process of launching a daytime RPC training.
What is RPC training? The Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) (officially titled Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: A Workshop for Resource Parents) is an eight-module workshop designed to educate resource parents on the effects trauma has on the children in their care. If you are interested in signing up, please fill out the form found here: https://bit.ly/ffa-ncrpcsignup
Know Your Region
NC DHHS has divided our state into seven regions. We have support groups for every region and for the whole state. If you are interested in signing up, please visit our website resources page, where you’ll see a map of North Carolina and the links for regional support. https://www.ffa-nc.org/resources
Online Support Group
Also, we have a resource parent only support group online at North Carolina Foster Parents via Facebook. Come join us!
