For anyone who is interested in becoming a state director for NFPCAR, the following are some of the things we have discussed in the past. Also, Advocates are always wanted to support and assist the director. 

With the fact that we have lives outside of the group, we're moving along slowly, but we're moving.  Our group is trying to bring the issue of allegations to the forefront.  We can do that by making people aware of the problem and not allowing it to be kept a "secret" any longer.      

For right now, our state director's need to contact their state and local foster parent associations for referrals.  We want to let them know we are a support group for foster and adoptive parents who have had allegations made against them and ask when someone calls in, to refer them to us.  I'm sure we all remember, only too well, when we felt so alone.  Besides being advocates for reform, we are a support group.

We've talked about putting up flyers on bulletin boards in grocery stores, Laundromats, etc.; taking out ads in our newspapers; passing out business cards and we'll be looking into public service announcements to see if that's possible.  We have members who are on committees, working with a judge, speaking before legislators, writing books, presenting at conferences, etc.  Even if you don't have the resources to do anything like this, do what you can. 

You need to contact the legislators in your state concerning foster parent allegations, to bring the issue to their attention.

One thing that is expected of the state director's is when we have the opportunity to respond to someone, such as when there is a request to write a letter to an individual or group about allegations, I would like at least the director's to respond.  We can't miss these opportunities to voice our opinions. When there is an article in your local newspaper about foster parenting, send a letter to the editor explaining the reason for the decrease in people who are willing to do foster care (allegations).

We also want each state director to look for different foster parent organizations or groups in their state on the Internet and write to them.  We need to increase our numbers, only then will our voices be heard.

The only thing I ask everyone is not to say anything that would portray our group as a radical or negative one, such as all social workers are liars, that the whole system stinks, or anything of that nature.  Keep in mind that there are areas that the system does work and there are workers who do care.  At all times, be respectful and professional.  We can rant and rave all we want to our group, but that needs to be left on the group and not when we're talking to others.  Remember that you are representing all of us and other members are working on things that have not been presented to the group.  We can't do anything to jeopardize their work, our integrity or the name we are trying to build.

Once we are working our non-profit status and we have formed a board of directors. It is hoped that we can meet a least once a year for at the NFPA Conference to man our booth. We have applied for a grant.

In this past, we've had an article in Fostering Families Today about NFPCAR and have been contacted by MSNBC, The O'Reilly Factor, Montel and the director of a documentary film.  Even though we didn't make appearances on all the shows, at least they know we exist.       

Our NFPCAR Website now has a webpage for your state chapter. Currently, we are working to add information for each state. If you have any additional information to add to your state page, please contact our webmaster.

As a state director, you'll receive business cards with your name on them, a t-shirt transfer with our logo and the State Chapter on it, along with the instructions for ironing it on a t-shirt.  You'll get a few brochures, flyers that can be put up on bulletin boards, a window decal that you can put in your car window and a few articles about allegations.

There is no training needed to be a state director, you've had all the training you need by living through the nightmare of allegations.  Speak from your heart and about what you have experienced.

Thanks from All of Us of NFPCAR

*Original ideas and Letter by Linda, Our Founder; Revised 04/24/08 
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First Post on Yahoo Discussion Group
02/16/2001
(Note: As of 04/27/2010, 3:26PM PST there were 78,141 Messages Posted; and 815 Members. On 04/16/2011, we will post the New total to honor our 10 years as a discussion group. Through Sharing, Caring, and Guidance, there has been alot of useful information.. And much of the Original Ideas and Discussion are part of our NFPCAR website information.)
 

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Welcome Madelene and I would like to welcome you to the newly formed Foster Parent Allegation group! Please bear with us while we are getting things started. This will be an organized effort to advocate for changes in the way allegations are handled and to bring about a public awareness of this issue which is out of control. We encourage everyone to read Dr. Bruce Perry's website and to enroll in his online classes. He is an expert in child trauma and it is with his research that we will "arm" ourselves when advocating for change. http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cta/ Linda

Linda fpallegations@**

Feb 16, 2001 9:02 pm

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