What does a Wrap Around Team do?

The burnout rate of foster parents is extremely high. Nationwide, statistically, 50% of first-time foster parents will not foster a second child once their first placement is over. The half that does continue to a second placement, 50% of those families will not continue past there second placement. Ultimately this leaves the counties and agencies looking for new foster parents every 2 years. Not only does this add a lot for the recruiting side of counties and agencies, but this also means that there is a limited amount of long-term experienced foster families who can meet the needs of every child. Stress, uncertainties, and unknowns of the foster care systems are the main causes of this burnout. 

Foster One has made it a priority to support and equip foster families. One of these resources we offer to families is our Wrap Around Teams. These teams literally wrap around and support a foster family for the first 3 months of a new placement. The first months are the most difficult and most stressful for a family. The family is getting into a new rhythm and routine and getting everyone's schedule to sync. Support provided by the team varies by each team and family but we typically see a meal provided once a week by the team, emotional and spiritual support and encouragement. We have also seen teams provide babysitting for date nights, lawn care/snow removal and many other helpful blessing for the family. What are your God given gifts and talents, and how can you use them to bless a family? 

With these teams and other resources provided by Foster One, we have seen nearly 90% of families who are engaged in the Foster One Community continue on to their second, third, fourth and more placements including adoption. Shattering the nationwide statistic of 50% of families burning out and no longer being a foster family.