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Two years ago the International Foster Care Organization (IFCO) held its conference in Madison, WI. Nancy and I attended the conference and we exhibited there as well. It was great to be able to hear some of the speakers, and to talk with other foster parents from around the world. Did you know the United States is the only country that says foster PARENTS? All the other countries say you are a foster CARER. I’m not sure which one is better, but it sure is interesting.
One of the most amazing exhibits was one that I was proud to be a part of. The Wisconsin Foster Parent and Adoptive Parents Association, Inc. (WFAPA), who also co-sponsored the conference, created a foster child’s quilt. It was beautiful. The quilt squares were created by children who were foster children at the time, or were adopted from foster care. There were no rules as to what the kids were to draw. It was completely up to them.
In addition to the quilt square, the parents (foster or adoptive) were asked to tell the child’s story in one page or less. The stories were them bound into a book and the quilt and book were on display at the conference.
Every portion of the state is represented. They sent a request to every county in the state, and asked the social workers in charge of foster care and special needs adoption to choose the child that would be asked to participate. In a few cases they were sibling groups.
The pattern chosen to create the quilt was the “tumbling block” pattern. The name of the pattern was to symbolize the lives of the kids. Even though I knew about the quilt, and helped with some of the preparations, seeing it in person was amazing.
I know the goal for WFAPA was to get the quilt to be on display in the capital in Madison, Wisconsin. I’m not sure if they ever reached that goal, but even if they didn’t the awareness they created at the IFCO conference was amazing.
You can view each individual square and the children’s stories here.
This is just one example of how to create awareness. Use your imagination for other avenues to create awareness. Just a reminder to be aware of confidentiality laws.
How often do they have these conferences?
And how much power does IFCO have when it comes to reforms?
Sorry to be off topic, but I’m OBSESSED with this.
I don’t think they have much pull on reform since the agency represents all countries. It allows foster parents from around the world to learn more about each other and the way other countries handle things.
A couple of interesting things that I can think of off the top of my head.
The U.S. is the only country that uses the term foster PARENTS. All other countries say foster CARERS.
Other countries have much more liberal support and work leave statutes than the U.S. For instance, I believe it’s Canada, allows ALL adoptive parents 18 months paid leave to be home with their new child. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Gah, why don’t we do that here? That sounds so useful!
I think the carer vs. parent label is interesting. I have four girls adopted out of a lifetime of foster care, and many, many placements. It is my opinion that they never thought of themselves as a true member of the family in most of those homes, neither did they consider their caregivers their parents. Yet they freely use the terms “Mom”, “Dad”, “sister”, and “brother”. It seems to mean nothing to them, and cheapens the reality of a forever family. I can understand in a foster/adopt situation, where the child is going to eventually join the family through adoption, but as these other children move from place to place, I think we rob them of something by asking them to call us Mom or Dad. I’m not sure what…maybe a grasp on reality?