Clothing Exchange

Hello! I am Lila and I was the one who brought up the idea for the clothing exchange.  In Rock Springs at the DFS office, they have a room full of clothes and items that you can have for your foster children, the only issue is that they don't really have a great selection.  When I spoke with a worker there about it they said that they are not accepting any more clothes because they have too much, but upon further inspection, they really lack clothes in the sizes that i need...which is quite the bummer!  :o)  The idea of the clothing exchange would be to help each other out by offering clothes to people that are no longer needed in your house.  I was thinking that it is possible to mail it to one another, or as mentioned before have it dropped off to different places when you are traveling through. I think the idea is better than just taking your items to the local thirft store because you know that it will be free for the families who need it, and you can assure that it is being used.  Anyway, that is just my thought I on that matter I guess. Thanks

Clothing Exchange

Christy's post reminded me that another foster parent had mentioned the need for winter/snow clothing for her foster children.  She asked about clothing exchanges.  I know some of the cities have clothing sheds or organized clothing exchanges -- please write about how you are running those.  In Lander we do this very informally - just giving clothes to each other that we know would fit the other family's foster child.  It is easy to do clothing exchanges within our individual cities.  Maybe we could figure out a way to expand it throughout the state.  Many of us travel from city to city.  The family that asked about winter clothing lives in Green River.  Do you guys have a clothing shed in Green River?  Other cities, what is your clothing situation?

things to give away

I have twin beds, dressers, kitchen table and chairs for free if you know anyone who might need them Thanks Christy

2010 WFAPA Paperwork

I have put the 2010 WFAPA paperwork online as a google document. You can view and print it by going to this link:

2010 Paperwork



This will make it easier for families you refer to sign up for WFAPA. Just send them to our blog and they can print the paperwork themselves. I also have the link in the sidebar for easy access.

This is really neat. Hopefully I do this correctly, never blogged before!

Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you. This is such a wonderful time of year, yet it can be the hardest on our children. If you have some special way you have to make it easier on our kids please share that with us all. One of the things we do is have their families come to our home to have dinner.(of course you do have to make sure it will be safe for all) We have had some very happy dinners. Bless you all for what you do and a huge blessing goes out to all of YOUR children for sharing their family with others!
Happy New Year
Pat Hans

Dear Foster Parents and Adoptive Parents,This has been a long time coming. In December of 1998 a group of foster parents in Casper got together wanted to start an Assoc. After many meeting, we came up with by-laws, a mission statement, and goals and dreams of what we wanted to have. One foster mom had a lot of knowledge in the legal end. She was the master mind of writing our 501c3, making us a non-profit Assoc. we are registered in Wyoming and have to send papers in to the IRS every year. We had bake sales , garage sales, any thing we could think of to get the money for our 501. Five hundred dollars later, plus 25$ for the State, 40 for a post office box. Money for paper, stamps ,ink you name it we needed it. About 2 years into it we wanted to expand to get foster families around the State involved. More money was needed. We were finally able to come up with another 500$ to get what was called an umbrella 501, where other counties could start a support group and not have to go through all the red tape we did. We were growing. Our biggest problem is coming up with the money to hold conference and to travel around the State. We received a one time grant of 5 thousand dollars back in 2000, That money was used to send foster parents to National Meetings and our first conference. we had about 50 people come. We didn't make much profit but we were on our way!!With the dues we pay we were able to have another conference, all the work getting ready for these was done by us while still having our children and homes and what ever came our way to do. We received another 16,000 thousand dollars the next year, and with that and the dues we have we have had a total of 7 conference. None of the Board members are paid, its all volunteer time. A few years back we made a round of meeting all over the State, folks from the Casey Family Programs, DFS, Dr. Delaney and my self held meetings all over. We were trying to find out what you all need to make foster care work better. Much has changed since then and so much more still needs to change. We were able to go to the Legislature a couple years back and spoke to them about our need for a raise, we got it!! The first one in 25 years!We were being asked by those that could change things what needed done, for the first time that I ever knew of. We got involved----at every spot we could, we talked to anyone that would listen and earned the respect that a Foster Parent should have, we weren't just babysitters any more. We were part of the TEAM. Four years ago The county manger gave us the office space for our "office" We try to be there as often as we can. So much of our work is done from home. Okay I will stop with the history lesson, I could go on forever!Where do we go from here. We have been able to be a part of the Food Bank of the Rockies, but there is so much more needed. With the distance there is between us all we need each DFS office to have a support group, and I think most of them do. You all do different things with the resource's you have available. Our numbers need to be strong, there is power in numbers when there are laws being passed that concern our children and families, we need to speak up and make sure they are laws that will be good for them.We need the best training we can get, with all the data and wisdom we can hold. We need to work together and make it happen. A few people can't do it all .I incourage you to spread the word about WFAPA , to get others to join, give us your ideas and any thing you can share with others that ae doing the same job.We can keep growing.I hope you all use this site to keep in touch and tell us whats going on in your area, what you need , what works. There is so much to tell. Problems you may have had with a child and how they were solved, tips you have come up with to help the children we work with. Share the laughter and the tears,Pat HansPresident of WFAPA Posted by Pat Hans at 11:32 PM


About Me
Pat Hans
I have been married for 38 years, we have been fostering for at least 33, I lose track of time!! I 2 children and 5 grand children,2 dogs and 4 birds. View my complete profile

Sticky Fingers

We've been dealing with a problem for quite some time, and it seems to be escalating now that our twins are realizing the value of money... stealing.  We have tried a variety of rewards and consequences.  I thought that teaching them the value of working to earn money would help, but they are smart enough to figure out that stealing money (or other cool-looking items) is much faster and easier than earning it.  What creative solutions do you guys have for a Sticky Finger problem?
 -- Camille

The Whiting Family

James and I have eight children -- Cameron, Micah, Ethan, Ian, Jamey, Teancum, Rebecca, and Elizabeth, ranging in age from 14 to 2.  Two of our children are adopted foster children -- I am thrilled if you can't guess which 2 they are! 

James is an attorney and I am mostly a stay-at-home mom, although I am also his secretary at his private law office.  We were foster parents for 9 years until James' job as an attorney began to conflict with our foster childrens' cases.  With Lander being such a small town, James often ends up representing birth parents, representing foster children as a Guardian ad Litem, or representing foster parents; so we are no longer foster parents.

This will be my third year coordinating the food program for WFAPA.  In what is left of my spare time, I enjoy running, music, and playing with my kids.  I play the piano in the primary at our church.  I also teach 7 of my children piano lessons.  Our family is very involved in the Boy Scout program (1 cub scout and 4 boy scouts), and I am the advancement chairman for our scout troop, crew, team, and pack.  James is an assistant scout master in our troop.  My oldest son, Cameron, is an Eagle Scout, and my second son, Micah, is just waiting for his Board of Review to become an Eagle Scout.  My twins turn 11 tomorrow and officially become boy scouts.  My youngest son will become a cub scout in April.

My kids are involved in a variety of activities, so it seems that almost every night we are attending a band concert, basketball game, violin recital, pack meeting, etc. etc. etc.  But we love being busy.  It is wonderful to see the variety of talents and personalities that our children are developing -- each of them are definitely an individual!

I have enjoyed getting to know the WFAPA families from throughout the state.  It is amazing how much we have in common once we get to know each other!

WFAPA Food Program

Participating in the WFAPA Food Program is one of the perks of belonging to WFAPA.  Families who wish to participate in the food program must have a foster or adopted foster child in their home at the time.  Vouchers may be purchased for $33 each, and may be exchanged for 150 lbs. of food.  Each foster child may receive 150 lbs. of food per month, with a maximum of 600 lbs. per family. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• I do not receive a stipend or subsidy.  Is my child eligible?  No.  The money to purchase the vouchers must come from your monthly stipend or subsidy, so a child that does not receive a subsidy or stipend each month is not eligible to participate in the food program.
• Is the $33 a one-time payment?  No.  Vouchers must be purchased every time you receive food.
• Can I share the food with my friends and neighbors?  No.  The food may not be returned to a store, sold, traded, bartered, or given away.  All ordered product must be age appropriate for the eligible child.  Unless consumed in a family meal or snack setting, the food is intended for the elible child.
• Will I receive a refund or credit for food that I do not receive?  No.  It is rare to receive everything that a family orders, and there are no refunds or credit given.
• When do I pay for the voucher?  Vouchers must be paid for before food is ordered.  Checks should be given to your city's group leader or to your area coordinator.
• I had a foster child in my home for part of the month.  Am I eligible to order?  No.  Foster children must be in your home for at least 16 days of the month to be eligible.
• When do the pick lists arrive?  Generally two Fridays before your delivery date.
• Is the food delivered to my home?  No.  The group leader over each city meets the delivery truck and picks up the food.  It is then brought to their home where it is sorted and foster parents come to pick it up.
• Can I purchase multiple certificates at once?  Yes.  You can purchase as many certificates as you want to at a time, and the ones you don't use will be carried over to the next month.
• Where does the food come from?  Most of the food is donated to the WFBR from local stores, such as Sam's Club or Walmart.  Some of the food, marked as "purchased product" on the pick list are purchased by WFBR.  Most of the food is either expired or near expiration date, or less popular items that didn't sell well.

If you have additional questions about the food program, contact Camille Whiting at camille@whitings.org.