South Florida Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

South Florida Fosters provides monthly in-service training for the continuing education of foster parents. In the past year, SFFAPA awarded over 1400 continuing education credits to foster parents which are required for their re-licensing. We equip foster families to have the tools and parenting techniques required to successfully parent a trauma exposed child.

The SFFAPA oversees both a Foster Parent Peer Advocate Program and an Adoptive Parent Peer Advocate Program in which seasoned foster and/or adoptive parents provide support to newly licensed foster and adoptive families. We mentor families throughout their entire journey as a foster parent, from the licensing process, all the way through to case management and court room processes. No one is more effective at supporting and training newly licensed foster families than experienced foster parents, who do it well! We provide parents with an in-depth view of the Child Welfare System and help develop "quality" foster parents that can professionally and appropriately advocate for the children in their homes. Empowering foster families not only has a positive impact in retaining and recruiting foster parents but also creates more positive outcomes for the children in their homes. We increase the number of foster families through not only the recruitment process but also by decreasing attrition rates through on-going mentoring, training and advocacy.

Through the kindness of both individuals and other community organizations, SFFAPA organizes events such as our Annual Back to School Backpacks and Supply Drive, Thanksgiving Potluck, and Holiday Toy Drives. Throughout the entire calendar year, SFFAPA organizes events, outings and activities for foster children, who without our support, would typically not have these opportunities.

Since most foster children who arrive at our homes come with only the clothes on their backs, South Florida Fosters oversees a clothing closet for children in foster car