Family Initiative recognizes National Foster Care Month

May is recognized as National Foster Care Month and is in acknowledgment of the 407,000 children and youth in foster care. The initiative by the Children’s Bureau is a time to appreciate the foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals and members of the community who contribute to the wellbeing and advancement of children in the foster care system.

In addition to providing compassionate programs and services to children with autism spectrum disorder, Family Initiative supports those who care for children in the child welfare system in Florida. The nonprofit organization recognizes that each family and situation is different.

The Family Impact Program provided by Family Initiative supports foster caregivers by utilizing a unique blend of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and other clinical approaches to supply caregivers with the training, education and support needed to build trust, provide compassionate understanding and deliver positive discipline to the children in their care.

“Many children within child welfare programs have faced hardships that no child should ever have to experience,” said David Brown, president and co-founder, Family Initiative. “Family Initiative understands the importance of training and supporting caregivers for parenting a child that has experienced trauma, and we have the resources and skills to provide compassionate, innovative programs to foster healing and growth.”

Through Family Initiative’s caregiver education courses, caregivers are supplied with parenting skills and tools to address the needs and behavioral concerns of the children in their home. The “In Home Support” process opens the family’s door to the Family Initiative team to come and work with the family and develop an individualized treatment plan for the home and children. By working closely together, the family and clinicians create a healthier, more stable environment for the child to grow and thrive.

Project Thrive and Together We Succeed are two support programs Family Initiative established to work with foster families and children in Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties.

Project Thrive assists adolescents and young adults with qualifying developmental disabilities develop and sharpen the skills needed to flourish as adults. Together We Succeed is designed to strengthen families and caregivers within the child welfare system through knowledge and support.

To learn more about the programs and services Family Initiative, Inc. offers those in the child welfare system, visit www.fi-florida.org/services/child-welfare-services/.

About Family Initiative

Established in 2015, Family Initiative, Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves children from compassionate, personalized approach through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) services, and offers autism play groups, teen meetings, parent education, community conversations and more. In addition, the organization provides child welfare caregiver training and support through its Family Impact Program. Visit fi-florida.org or find Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram at @FamilyInitiative and on Twitter at @FI_Inc.