Foster Family Appreciation Week: Meet The Frazier Family

photo of the Frazier Family, who are foster parents in clay county

The Fraziers are newly licensed, but they have hit the ground running. Their first placement came to them with unprecedented mandates made by the court, but they handled it like champs. Although it wasn’t the easiest, they stayed strong while working with the biological parents and the children were successfully reunified with their family! They…

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Foster Family Appreciation Week: Meet The Elsberry Family

photo of the Elsberry Family, who are foster parents with Kids First

  The second week of February is celebrated as Foster Family Appreciation Week in Florida. This week we want to introduce you to some of our fantastic foster families. One of our Kids First caseworkers describes the Elsberry Family this way: This is by far one of the best foster families I’ve worked with during…

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Facts About Foster Children & Parenting

welcome to fostering sign

What Is Foster Care? Foster care is designed to be a temporary way to care for children who must leave their parental home due to neglect or abuse. The ultimate goal is to reunite children with their parents if possible, or place them into permanent adoptive homes. According to Children’s Defense, there are about 424,000…

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Make Elf on the Shelf Work for You: 8 Ideas for a Stress-Free December

elf on the shelf in christmas ornaments

Elf on the Shelf can be a divisive concept. Some parents have embraced this cheeky, imaginative toy, and enjoy finding new, inventive scenarios for their kids to discover each December morning. Others find it an unnecessary stressor, adding extra work to the already busy holiday season. Parents can spend ages online looking for cheap ideas…

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When your child asks about their birth family

Most adopted children are curious about their birth family. Your child’s birth family is a major part of his or her adoption story, and it is important to talk with your child about them openly, honestly, and positively. Talking about your child’s birth family can be a sensitive subject for everyone involved. Every adoptee’s story is…

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Tips for Creating A Blended Family

cartoon showing different kinds of families

Developing a happy home life for families isn’t always easy, but blending two different families has its own particular challenges.  Blending a family can take a while, but it is important to find a groove that is comfortable for everyone. While every family has its own dynamic, some universal tips can help blended families become…

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Foster Care Mom Recalls The First Time She Got “The Call”

The licensing process was completed. Nursery decorated in a non-gender-specific jungle theme, ready to welcome a child into my home. The closet full of diapers, clothes, toys, books, and stuffed animals… I think I am ready, is what I told myself. May 15: The Call Comes In I decided to attend an extended family outing…

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Looking Out For Your Child’s Mental Health

kids playing on a bed

As a parent, you do your best to take care of your child. You make sure your child’s physical needs are met – nutritious food, a safe home, a proper education. But meeting your child’s mental, and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health helps children to think clearly, develop socially, and…

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20 Fun Summer Activity Ideas for Kids

3 kids playing on floor

Summer days stretch out before you, waiting to be filled with memory-making activities and games. But some days creative play ideas can be hard to come by. If you are drawing a blank when trying to come up with ideas, here are 20 easy-to-implement activities sure to make your summer day a fun one! Make…

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