JRI Foster Care Blog

7 min read

Foster Care: Stock Up for Success

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on September 8, 2022

Every new placement will need something.  It is a true roll of the dice regarding what that might be, but it usually involves a trip to a pharmacy or department store, often at an inconvenient hour.

As fostering families become more seasoned, they prepare in advance so some things are just an arms length away.  Here are some of the top suggestions our all-star parents stock up on for success when a new placement arrives

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5 min read

Foster Care Licensing: Streamline Your Process

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on August 17, 2022

It takes folks an average of 6-9 months to become licensed for foster care and there are outliers who may take even more time.  Why so long?

Well, there are a number of factors.  Every foster care applicant has to complete MAPP class, which is 10 weeks long (one three hour session per week for ten weeks).  If you can’t attend the soonest MAPP class, it likely won’t be offered again for a few months

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4 min read

Foster Care Youth: Their Hero

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on August 3, 2022

For their whole lives, he’s been their hero.  They looked to him when they were unsure of where to go next.  They looked to him for reassurance.  They looked to him to chart their course forward.

At the end of the summer, their hero will disappear.  He’s ready to be a hero to more than his family.  He will enter boot camp and take an oath to protect and serve his nation.  For Brave R

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2 min read

Foster Care Licensing: Commit to Commitment

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on June 23, 2022

“The hoops are too much for me to go through for me to offer such a kind thing.”

I draw my breath in and let it out slowly. 

Another applicant bites the dust.

Another home does not open their door.

Another child is left waiting.

Foster parent licensing is a process.  It takes time and effort.  Completing an application, running background checks and fingerprints, home interviews, MAPP class, CPR and First Aid, obtaining references...I know

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3 min read

Foster Care: The Need is Now

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on June 1, 2022

He left from school.  He had his backpack and his homework.  He didn't get to hug his mom.

She left from home.  There wasn’t time to pack much, they had to get going.  She wasn’t sure what to grab, so she just stuffed things into the garbage bag blindly.  Turned out to be clothing from last season.  She will have to wear a sweater and long pants tomorrow, even though it will be 84 degrees

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6 min read

Ten Ways to Support Foster Care (Without Fostering!)

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on April 29, 2022

Many folks want to support foster care, but aren’t in a position to open their homes to a child or youth in care. 

Is it still possible to help?  Absolutely!  Here are ten ways you can step forward to support foster care.

  1. Hire a Youth in Care

Are you a small business owner or manager?  Do you hire for summer/after school/weekend work?  Reach out to your local fostering agency and submit a job description.  If

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3 min read

National Foster Care Month 2022

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on April 29, 2022

May is National Foster Care Month.

What does that mean?  Why does it exist?

It isn’t a celebration of foster care.  Foster care occurs when families do not have the supports they need to safely keep children in their homes, so that’s not something for which we should break out the party hats.

What is National Foster Care Month all about?

National Foster Care Month is a time to bring the conversation of foster care

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10 min read

Foster Care: Avoiding Foster Parent Burnout

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on April 20, 2022

According the the national average, nearly half of all homes licensed to provide foster care will quit within their first year of fostering.  That means if ten families open their doors, four of those families will close them in less than 12 months. 

What does that mean?  What is happening?

Fostering is hard.  There’s no gentle way to put it.  It impacts every facet of a fostering family’s life, from leisure time to work schedules

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12 min read

The Heart of Foster Care: A Letter to Miss Six

By Foster Mama MS on March 24, 2022

Dear Ms. 6,

            You arrived in a storm.

            It’s okay, I whispered, sliding under the kitchen table next to you. I’m scared of storms, too.

            I didn’t sleep the first night week month ever again, slipping into your room to make sure you’re still there.  “If you get sick, or scared, or hurt,” I reminded you endlessly, “you just come into my room and wake me up, or call my name, and

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5 min read

Top Ten Qualities of Successful Foster Parents

By Courtney Edge-Mattos on March 7, 2022

Our foster parents here at JRI represent a diverse bunch of people- and we LOVE that!  The more diverse, the stronger we are as a program and the better we can serve the diverse needs of children and youth in the Commonwealth.

Regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or identity, marital status, education, ethnicity, culture, parenting experience, or so many other demographic qualities, here are the top 10 unifying qualities shared by our successful foster

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Foster Care...Foster Hope

A Blog to Support Foster Parents

Our foster care program is rooted in the principle that every child deserves to feel safe, to be nurtured, and to thrive. Our foster families and staff are committed to maximizing each child's potential within our stable and loving foster homes.

Remember:

  • Stable homes nurture neglected children.
  • Compassionate homes mend painful pasts.
  • YOUR home can change the life of a child.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please complete our foster care interest form.

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Rachel has been a part of the JRI team since January, 2000. For over 20 years, Rachel has been working in the field of human services assisting families with accessing and navigating services. Rachel received her Bachelors degree in psychology and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University. She was promoted in July 2005 to Family Networks Program Director where she closely worked with the Department of Children Families for 10 years ensuring that children and families received the highest quality of individualized services ranging from community based through residential care. Rachel is very dedicated to helping the individuals she works with and is committed to improving the lives of children and families. Rachel’s passion for creative service programming inspires her in her role as JRI Service Navigator.