Resources for Families caring for a foster child 

As May 2021, 70% of foster children are in family-like homes, over 14% are in congregate care and nearly 15% are in kinship care. Carolina Family Engagement Center is connecting with community organizations to ensure foster families have equitable access to public education, regardless of a child’s guardianship circumstances. 

Here are some resources that can help: 

National Resources: 

• Children First 

• Foster Care Support Foundation 

• Foster Parenting 

• Fostering Families Today  

• Fostering Perspectives 

• Pathways Youth & Family Services 

• Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth 

• Guide to Financial Empowerment for Youth Who Have Aged Out of Foster Care

Local Resources: 

• National Foster Parent Association 

• USC's Children's Law Center 

• SC Joint Council on Children & Adolescents 

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

• TIPS for Child Care Institute 

• Adverse Childhood Experiences, aka ACEs 

• Sharpen Minds APP 

• Sharpen Minds Fireside Chats 

Local foster care support groups: 

• South Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program - voices for children in foster care. 

• South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy - Eastover - residential program for at-risk boys and girls ages 16-18½. 

• Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth - services for youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. 

• State Office of Victim Assistance - Columbia - SC Governor's Office - provides compensation to victims of crime and train victim service providers. 

• South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy- Columbia-based - combating high rates of teen pregnancy in SC. 

• South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families - Columbia-based - works to reduce poverty through fatherhood engagement. 

Guide to Financial Empowerment for Youth Who Have Aged Out of Foster Care -https://www.moneygeek.com/financial-planning/resources-for-foster-youth-aging-out/