Vol. 8, No. 1• November 2003

Periodicals for Foster and Adoptive Parents

by Becky Burmester

Regular readers of this column know that I am an avid reader of books in part because I believe I am a better foster parent because of books I have read. I also read periodicals targeted to foster and adoptive parents and believe that these publications can provide us much needed emotional support and knowledge. The National Advocate, Adoptive Families, Pact Press, Fostering Families TODAY, Newsline, Practice Notes, and Pacesetter are among the publications I reviewed for this article. I warned my husband that writing this article was going to get expensive. “How so?” he innocently asked. “We don’t subscribe to all of these yet.” “Oh,” he replied.

Newsline is the publication of the North Carolina Foster Parents Association. It is published twice a year and sent to all NCFPA members. Membership is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Membership also entitles you to lower registration costs for NCFPA conferences. Newsline is a created entirely by foster parent volunteers. Each issue has articles on topics of which foster parents in North Carolina need to be aware. Newsline and the NCFPA website at <www.ncfpa.org> keep me current on the state of foster care in North Carolina. You will find the membership application on this page. I hope you’ll join!

Next on my list of publications is the National Advocate, the quarterly publication of the National Foster Parent Association. Membership in the National Association is $35 per year. You can join online at <www.nfpainc.org> or by calling 800-557-5238. The National Advocate is a wonderful publication that addresses foster care concerns of national interest.

Pact Press is a specialized publication addressing issues of race, adoption, and foster care. A one-year subscription is $32 and is free with family membership. Because we foster trans-racially, this publication is very important to my family. If you are fostering or adopting across racial lines, I would consider this a “must have” subscription. You can subscribe via the Internet at <www.pactadopt.org> or by phone at 866-722-8257.

Fostering Families TODAY is another quarterly publication. In fact, the complimentary issue that was sent to me for review resulted in this article. The subscription cost is $16. You can subscribe online at <www.fosteringfamiliestoday.com> or by phoning 888-924-6736. If you struggle to accumulate training credits, the quiz at the end of each issue may prove helpful. However, there is a $5 charge to submit the quiz and receive a certificate of credit. I also liked the “news and views” section that contained brief blurbs of foster care activities and actions, many with places to contact for further information. This is another one to which I really want to subscribe.

Adoptive Families is a bimonthly publication available for $29.95 a year. The website is <www.adoptivefamilies.com> and the phone number is 800-372-3300. This publication is nearly 30% advertisements, which is in marked contrast to the other publications, which are ad-free. The articles, however, were interesting. “Growing Up Adopted” is a regular feature targeted to specific age groupings addressing child development questions.

Children’s Services Practice Notes is another of my favorite publications. John McMahon, editor of Fostering Perspectives, also edits this quarterly publication. The target audience is child welfare workers. While foster parents are not paid professionals, we do have an interest in best practices for child welfare. Practice Notes is available free online at <www.practicenotes.org>. I find it difficult to read from the computer screen so I print out a copy and take it to bed with me. To receive notification by e-mail whenever a new issue of Practice Notes appears online, send an e-mail message to [email protected] with “subscribe” in the subject line.

Do you have a favorite publication that helps meet your needs as a foster or adoptive parent? Please send me information at [email protected] or phone me at 919-870-9968. Foster and adoptive parents depend on others for information and support. You can be a vital link. Keep reading!

Becky Burmester is a foster parent and a member of the NC Foster Parents
Association.

Copyright � 2003 Jordan Institute for Families