|
Get-Acquainted Gifts &. Bags
Do you have a new case? A small toy or gift helps a frightened child feel comfortable meeting his GAL for the first time. "Ice-breaker" gifts may be small stuffed animals and dolls for younger children and balls, books and games for older children. Sport bags donated by the Dr. Laura Schlessinger Foundation to carry belongings are also available.
Find It Fast: GAL Office
Baby Blankets
Homemade blankets and Afghans can bring comfort to young children alone and finding themselves sleeping in a strange bed for the first time. VFK coordinates with Project Linus to bring blankets to children. Find It Fast: VFK and/or GAL Office
My Closet
Extra new clothing (sizes birth through child's size 18), and shoes in various sizes for children in dependency cases are available thanks to Dignity U Wear, Stein Mart of Fort Myers and Snydermans Shoes. For older children and teens wearing sizes larger than kept by My Closet, follow the Special Needs procedure shown below.
Find It Fast: VFK Office—call 239-997-5437 from 9a.m.-l p.m. A weekday to make sure someone is present to open the Closet. GALs or GALs accompanied by foster parents may select clothes/shoes for children. Note: Foster parents must be accompanied by the GAL to be admitted.
Foster parents for children coming into foster care receive a $50 clothing allowance. Each subsequent August prior to school opening, DCF issues $300 per child for clothing. My Closet is intended to be a supplemental program.
Beds for Kids
Frequently, foster parents and relatives may need help in obtaining a bed for a child coming into their care, or to enable a child to be placed with them. Beds for Kids often is able to supply new cribs, beds, bedding and even a teddy bear to help children have their own place to sleep and adjust to a new home. Availability varies according to demand.
Find It Fast: Call the VFK office 239-997-5437 from 9 am. to 1 p.m. weekdays to make the request. VFK will relay your request quickly to Cynthia Shafer, VFK Board Member. If a bed is available, the VFK office or Ms. Shafer will notify the GAL and help facilitate the delivery or pick up.
Happier Birthdays
Birthdays for foster children and children living with relatives need not go unnoticed! VFK has partnered with Publix Supermarkets to provide a children's birthday package including: decorated sheet cake, ice cream, party plates and napkins, balloons and a disposable camera to preserve precious memories.
How and When to Request: GALs should request in writing (snail mail, fax or email) 30 days in advance of the child's birthday, directly from the VFK office. Each request should contain: name and address of the GAL requesting; child's name and date of birth;
and case number. FYI: Upon receipt, the VFK forwards to the chairperson who will mai the GAL the Happier Birthday package in time for the birthday.
Child's Individual Special Needs
Sometimes a child needs either goods or services not covered by any other agency. This may include items such as medical expenses (psychological, dental, physical, ophthalmologic), utilities and food, safety (car seat) and hygiene items. If you don't ask your child won't get it.
|
