Foster Care During a Pandemic

For many people, life has come to a standstill recently. We’ve stopped leaving our homes for anything but the essentials. We’ve stopped getting together with family. We’ve stopped attending religious services and hosting barbecues. However, there are some things that go on. We haven’t stopped caring for Apelah’s foster children, and we haven’t stopped supporting our resource families, but it does look a little different.

Here are some ways that Apelah has adapted our foster care program during the pandemic:

• We’re providing our training materials online and through email. Our Recruiter/Trainer is working with our foster parents to connect them with the training materials they would usually be receiving at our monthly, in-person training. We want to make sure that they’re receiving relevant training - even if we can’t do it in person.

• Our case manager check-ins have gone virtual. We’re checking in with our foster parents as often (if not more often) as we always do, but we’re using video chats and phone calls instead. Our case managers are still available for support 24/7

• We’re working with our foster families to make sure our children have access to any doctors or specialists they might need. This might mean connecting them via telehealth or making sure every precaution is taken in an emergency, but no matter what, we’re helping all of our families stay safe and healthy while getting the care they need. 

• You can still apply to be a foster parent, but we may not be able to process you right away. Our applications are available on our website, so you can still apply, but with everything closed down, processing those applications has become more complicated.

• Our foster parents are still pouring love into the children in their care. Schools and offices might be closed, but loving homes have remained. We’re so grateful for the care that our resource parents are providing - a safe and loving home has never felt more important.

We hope you’re all staying safe out there.