Coronavirus and Foster Care: A Growing Collection of Resources for the Faith Community

By Jason Weber on March 24, 2020

frank-mckenna-LhOjrOlcLx4-unsplash-scaled

As we all adjust to the new normal both at home and in our work, we wanted to create a central place to collect information that might be helpful to you as you advocate for children and families in your community.  We will update and add as we learn more. You might consider bookmarking this page and checking back every few days. If you have suggestions for additional resources or articles to be added, please email them to [email protected].

Free Webinars to Help You Help Others

The webinar series is now complete. Webinar recordings and next steps available here

Abundance: The Spiritual Practice of Fundraising in Times of Uncertainty

Overcoming Anxiety in the Era of Coronavirus

Church Support for Adoptive and Foster Families and Youth Amidst Coronavirus

Working Effectively From Home Amidst Coronavirus

Resources Available to Youth and Families

Chosen Parent-to-Parent Free online support groups

Sheltering in place? Quarantined? Stuck at home? If you are looking for some help to know how to survive this challenging time with kiddos from hard places, join any of our complimentary support groups. We are offering three weekly support groups live each with a ten-minute time of trauma-informed education. The remainder of the hour will be to ask questions of our seasoned staff and to provide support to each other, parent to parent.  To learn more CLICK HERE.

Resources for Foster Youth

FosterClub has created a list of resources available for foster youth affected by the coronavirus crisis and is updating it regularly.  The list includes access for foster youth to laptops, cellphones, and moving services. LEARN MORE 

Resources from The Children’s Bureau

The Children’s Bureau has issued general guidance and several resources in response to COVID-19. Follow the links to download the pdfs and read their recommendations on visitation, court closings and more.

National News Regarding Coronavirus and Foster Care

State-by-State News Regarding Cornavirus and Foster Care

The following is a list of state-based articles about the impact of coronavirus on foster care as they become available.  If you find a news article for your state not listed that we should consider adding, please email the link to [email protected].

Alabama

Coronavirus outbreak impacting Alabama’s foster care system

Why now might be the best time to adopt or foster a child

Arizona 

Here’s how you can help during the COVID-19 Crisis

Arizona agency allows virtual adoption and foster care process amid COVID-19

Local opinion: COVID-19 upheaval is magnified for foster families

Arkansas

The CALL turns to online training for foster parents

Arkansas foster care numbers rise as pandemic closes court hearings

More foster families needed as number of children brought into foster system increases during COVID-19 pandemic

California

After A Week of Coronavirus Confusion Foster Families get some Guidance 

L.A. Child Welfare Social Workers Conducting Home Visits without Protection Against Coronavirus

Foster care youth who are aging out of the system learn how to manage life amid COVID-19 outbreak

Familiar faces of Haddish, Louganis are focus as foster care awareness campaign launched

Coronavirus: Virtual Information, Training Still Available For Prospective Foster Parents

Newsom Announces Aid for Foster Care Youth Affected by COVID-19, New Agreement With Oregon and Washington

Connecticut

Connecticut’s most vulnerable children even more at risk during coronavirus crisis

Delaware

Adoption and foster programs face new challenges amidst COVID-19

Florida

Foster care workers fear children isolated by the coronavirus are more at risk

Kids in foster care? Coronavirus prompts courts to halt family visits, dealing harsh blow

For Florida Foster Care Groups, Social Work Finds a Way

Local foster care agency is first to begin online training for new foster parents

Help needed more than ever for Central Florida children in foster care

Coronavirus Impacting Foster Care in Florida

Georgia

Why surge in Foster care placement will follow COVID -19 Pandemic

Wellroot Family Services hosts a social distancing 5K to support children in foster care

Restoration Rome to hold virtual race to raise funds for foster care

Hawaii

Zoom Replaces Hugs For Hawaii Parents With Children In Foster Care

Illinois

COVID-19 response causes delay in DCFS YouthCare program launch

Foster care services using alternative options with COVID-19

Idaho

IDHW releases strict guidelines on foster care during COVID-19

Indiana

Stay-at-home order strains Indiana’s foster care system

Kentucky

Kentucky is limiting in-person child abuse investigations because of the coronavirus

Organization that works with foster kids facing new challenges due to COVID-19

Massachusetts

DCF is Restricting, Not Halting, Home Visits Because of COVID 19

Maryland

Aging out of foster care during COVID-19

Michigan

COVID-19 pandemic creates a shortage of foster parents

Coronavirus Could Impact Foster Care System

Homes sought in case Kent Co. foster kids catch coronavirus

COVID-19 crisis increasing the need for foster parents in Michigan

Missouri

St. Louis-Area Foster Care Adapts To Coronavirus

Local non-profit virtually encourages and connects teens aging out of foster care during pandemic

Minnesota

COVID-19 spread affecting adoption agencies in Minnesota

Wright County Commisioner Darek Vetsch Says Thank You To Foster Parents During Stay At Home Protocol

Montana

Churches and non-profits team up to help Great Falls during COVID-19 outbreak

New Mexico

Foster parents, biological parents and kids face new challenges amid state’s response to COVID-19 outbreak 

North Carolina

Local Family Service Agency utilizes technology to keep children and families safe during COVID-19 Pandemic

Thousands of children in NC foster care system in limbo due to COVID-19 crisis

How the Coronavirus is affecting the Foster Care System and its Children

Kids who aged out of foster care struggling in the weakened economy

Coronavirus Creates Potential Big Need for Foster Parents

New York

New York City Foster Care Rushes to Prepare for Coronavirus 

Foster care system straining to fulfill family needs during shelter-in-place

Coronavirus Update: Children In Foster Care Among Those Struggling To Stay Safe, Healthy During Pandemic

New Jersey 

Just Who is Essential in NJ’s COVID-19 Battle?

New Mexico 

CYFD Steps Up COVID-19 Precautions Across All Divisions

Secretary of CYFD Weighs in on Challenges Facing Foster Care in the Age of COVID-19

Ohio 

Foster care children at risk during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 concerns force changes to most social services, including foster care

Protecting children: Butler County coping with changes to monitoring cases, foster care options

COVID-19 impacts Ohio’s foster care system youth

Oklahoma

State has big need for foster families

Organization helping kids who are aging out of foster care system during coronavirus crisis

Oregon

How COVID-19 could be isolating foster kids

My NeighbOR helps Oregon foster families during coronavirus pandemic

Klamath DHS turns foster families’ yards into Easter egg hunts

‘Stress on top of stress’: Organizations raise funds for foster families amid pandemic

Newsom Announces Aid for Foster Care Youth Affected by COVID-19, New Agreement With Oregon and Washington

Pennsylvania 

Foster Kids Left in Limbo during Coronavirus Lockdown 

Disruptions and government response to the coronavirus outbreak

What Happens to Foster Children Aging out of the System during the Pandemic?

South Carolina

More foster families needed during coronavirus outbreak

Texas

Coronavirus in Austin: DFPS, foster care groups brace for impact

CASA of the Sabine Neches Region issues a Call to Arms for volunteers in response to the predicted impact of COVID-19

How you can help Central Texas foster care children impacted by coronavirus epidemic

Company offers free counseling and support for families during COVID-19

El Paso foster families make adjustments to care for kids during pandemic

Tennessee

Coronavirus creating challenges for East TN foster and adoption agencies

Chattanooga’s foster care agency adapts during coronavirus pandemic

Utah

Coronavirus in Utah: Latest COVID-19 Updates

Foster Families Say Visiting Policies Exposing Them to Coronavirus

Virginia

Experts say children in foster care could face heightened risk of abuse, neglect amid pandemic

Keeping foster kids safe takes on a whole new meaning

Social Services is still actively recruiting foster care parents during pandemic

Janet Kelly column: COVID-19 does affect kids

Washington

Organization that supports foster kids needs your help during COVID-19 closures

Treehouse Adapting to Serve Students in Foster Care Statewide During COVID-19 Crisis

Non-profit Spokane Angels helping foster families through pandemic

Newsom Announces Aid for Foster Care Youth Affected by COVID-19, New Agreement With Oregon and Washington

West Virginia

Technology allows organizations to continue foster care efforts

Wisconsin

Foster-care help needed before and after COVID-19 outbreak

Stay connected with news and stories of impact in your inbox

English