As the holidays approach, we sometimes equate the value of a gift with the level of love and caring we have for a particular person, or as a symbol of the gifts of the Magi during Christmas or the gifts to commemorate the miracle of the oil lamps during Hanukah. In a larger context, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand the real meaning, cost and benefits of giving rewards to children and youth in care.

Mr. and Mrs. Heard started fostering in early 1994 in order to care for two of their grandchildren.  As they took foster parent classes they saw how many kids in care needed a good home, and thought “If we could love our own, we could love someone who wasn’t” their biological family.

Teaching your child how to cooperate may mean making some changes in how you ask her to do things. She can't be expected to cooperate if she doesn't know exactly what you want. Sometimes parents complicate things by getting too worked up when asking for help. At other times, requests are too vague or confusing. Keep it simple.  Here are four steps to making an effective request.

Encouragement can come in many forms. Sometimes it can be praise – a simple “good job!”  Other times, children need more than a kind word. It may take a hug, a special treat or giving more of your attention by playing a board game, watching a movie together or going to the park. There are hundreds of ways you can encourage a child, which, in turn will improve their self-esteem.

As you get to know more about your child’s teachers this year, some will immediately stand out in a positive way, and others may raise a flag of concern. Here are a few ways to go about resolving issues you may have with a teacher.

Without a doubt, graduating high school is a significant accomplishment for many youth with behavioral, emotional or intellectual challenges. There have been so many barriers and roadblocks that needed to be overcome, much of which wouldn't have happened without the care, concern and support of foster families. But that guidance cannot stop after graduation.

For JCFS foster parent Ms. Carolyn Flournoy, watching kids blossom is the most rewarding part of fostering, "Children can grow up to be great and have self-esteem despite the challenges they faced." 

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize that we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in our care, especially JCFS foster parents and staff. 

by Marc Bermann, Recruiter/Trainer

All schools systems have academic standards that provide an important, clear roadmap for learning. In the early stages of language arts and literacy development, children will learn the fundamentals of letter and word recognition; sentence structure and reading comprehension. In the early stages of mathematics development, they will learn counting and comparing numbers (i.e., which is a greater amount?) and basic word problems. To help your child perform in school, it is best to help your child learn at home, as well. Try to create a quiet place for your child to study, and carve out time every day when your child can concentrate. You should also try to sit down with your child at least once a week for 15 to 30 minutes while he or she works on homework. This will keep you informed about what your child is working on, and it will help you be the first to know if your child needs help with specific topics or concepts.

By Mark Bermann, Recruiter/Trainer

The summer months, when recreational activities have their peak appeal to families, are good times to reach out to friends and neighbors to connect on many levels. As part of building a support system for you and your children in care, it’s important to build safety factors into the fun times that you’re looking forward to.