Welcome
We're here to support you
Get connected with your local caregiver community through Alliance CaRES. Click here to navigate to our home page, where you can select your county and begin building your network of support.
While You Wait
You have thought long and hard about what it means for you to be a foster parent. You may even have ideas of what it will be like to welcome a child into your home. While you wait for your license or first placement to arrive, this facilitated discussion will help you consider some of the needs in the fostering community and how you are suited to meet them. You’ll talk with fellow new foster parents about some of the changes and expectations that come with fostering. You will also have a chance to consider your role as part of the caregiving team and how you can partner to support the child(ren) while in your care and as they move into permanency. Lastly, you’ll work towards developing a set of parameters for accepting your first placements to promote a good fit for both you and the child(ren) placed in your care. At the conclusion of this 2-hour supportive facilitated discussion, you will receive a list of resources and trainings to help you continue to build your caregiving tool kit now and throughout your fostering journey. Register here.
Free and Discounted Resources for Foster and Kinship Caregivers
Most of these are available to foster and kinship families, some require proof of caregiver status, usually in the form of a foster care license. This is noted whenever we are aware of it. The Alliance CaRES program does not support or endorse any of the listed items; they are compiled for your convenience. We make every effort to keep these up-to-date, if you know of a correction or an item not listed, please let us know by emailing notifycares@uw.edu
Check out our resource page, or visit your region’s webpage, for places in your area that offer discounts or free opportunities or items to families in the care system.
First 30 Days of a Placement
Click here for the First 30 Days Checklist. This handout provides lots of information about how to make the 30 days after placement a smooth transition.
