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
- The Coronavirus’ Impact on Children: Child Welfare — Children’s Defense Fund Blog
- Children in Jeopardy — City Journal
- Coronavirus, Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice: A Running Thread — Chronicle of Social Change
- Coronavirus Is Isolating Some Kids In Protective Care From Parents And Services — KPBS.org
- UNICEF – COVID-19: Children at heightened risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence amidst intensifying containment measures— Unicef.org
- Coronavirus Leaves Foster Children with Nowhere to Go — The Marshall Project
- How Coronavirus Is Affecting Surrogacy, Foster Care and Adoption — The New York Times
- Foster kids who can’t visit parents are struggling under coronavirus isolation, advocates say — NBC News
- Delays, despair as coronavirus pandemic halts family reunification hearings for foster children — ABC News
- Looking Ahead: The Nation’s Child Welfare Systems after Coronavirus — Chronicle of Social Change
- What it’s like being in foster care under coronavirus — Fox 43 News
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
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
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
North Carolina
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
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
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
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
West Virginia
Technology allows organizations to continue foster care efforts
Wisconsin