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