Quarter 1 2023 Equip Pillar (Program Highlights)

EQUIP PILLAR

Quarter One Program Highights We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support that allows Foster Village Charlotte to stay responsive to the needs of the children and families we serve.

Each quarter we want to share some highlights of one of our three core pillars and the programs that coincide. This quarter we are taking a deeper dive into our equip pillar and what it looks like in action!

Villaging Well,

Foster Village Charlotte Staff & Board

66

Welcome Packs delivered in quarter one ensuring children in foster care have needs met with dignity during a time of big transition

104

sensory tools provided to children in need of regulation support

Elisabeth Watts, FVC Volunteer

Recently, while delivering a car full of supplies to a grandmother who had taken kinship placement of her 6 grandchildren, I couldn't help but be humbled and overwhelmed by the thought and intention behind each item.

As I unloaded the numerous boxes and bags, I imagined the children who would benefit from each item and the relief it would bring to the grandmother's daily load. It was a powerful reminder that it takes a village to support kinship and foster families and every little piece is truly making a difference in the lives of these kids.

55

individual Project SOOTHe consultations and follow-ups providing advocacy and problem-solving support

EQUIP PILLAR

Ensuring children in foster care have their needs met...

WITH DIGNITY

Research has shown that babies and children who go through the foster care system are at significantly higher risk of emotional and physical health issues. Sensory tools have been shown to help children process. Project SOOTHe provides non-invasive tools, play-based strategies, and individualized consultations to families free of charge to help caregivers engage and bond with the children in their homes. Caregivers often wait months for therapy options to start. Project Soothe ensures children feel safe, find new strategies for regulation, and allows for caregivers to have access to professional support at a time they need it most.

WELCOME PACKS

PROJECT PROJECTSOOTHE SOOTHE

Most children arrive in foster homes with few belongings and little notice. Foster families must navigate several unknowns while staying emotionally present to help children feel safe with a sense of belonging. Welcome Packs allow for children to have exactly what they need at a time they need it the most and ease the stress of ensuring kids have what they need. Welcome packs are designed to support the transition into a foster home and can not be requested if a child has been in the home for over a week.

Welcome Packs are a lifeline back to a village of support.

Meet Spot...

"It’s so astounding the holistic view that Dana takes, things I would never even think about, letting alone know to ask. It’s incredible.

Dana’s really good about understanding that children aren’t formulas but there are helpful strategies and tools available for all children." Sam, foster parent shared recently.

Summary

When behaviors impact daily routines, caregivers need support now but many are left on long waiting lists for therapies to begin.

Our community just doesn't have enough providers in our region that take the insurance needed and aren't overloaded with their current clients.

"The weighted stuffed animal she calls Spot has been incredible. It never leaves her side. Spot has That's where Project become like another member of the SOOTHe steps in. family and it's been a tool we've all used to role play together and Dana Elliot is a foster parent and where she gets to exercise pediatric occupational therapist that empathy.” helps Foster Village Charlotte bring this program to life. She is not only a wealth of knowledge but her firsthand experience as a foster parent allows her to education families on being advocates and find creative solutions.

We have seen a huge jump in our Project SOOTHe referrals in 2023. In fact, we are at a 200% increase from last year.

3 Ways to Support Equip Pillar

1

PLEASE EXTEND MY THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTS OUR CHILDREN! SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL WELCOME PACKS. SHE WAS SO EXCITED WITH THE BOOKS & PUZZLES TOO. WE'VE BEEN FOSTER PARENTS SINCE 2004 AND NEVER RECEIVED SUCH BEAUTIFUL ITEMS FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR HOMES.

SHOP OUR AMAZON WISH LIST CLICK HERE OR SCAN QR CODE

Charlotte Foster Parent

2

PROVIDE A ONE-TIME OR MONTHLY GIFT CLICK HERE OR SCAN QR CODE

3

HOST A GIFT CARD DONATION DRIVE

Foster Village Charlotte provides gift cards to older youth to shop for their own clothes to allow for style preferences and grocery gift cards to support basic needs of kinship and reunifying families.