# Introducing Wildwood Collective: Strategies to Support Foster Care The meeting discussed strategies to support foster families and improve foster care outcomes. Key points included the high dropout rate of 50% among foster families in the first year, which could be mitigated by creating care communities of 4-8 volunteers to support foster families. Success stories highlighted that with support, 90% of families continue into the second year. The collective's initiatives include the "You Matter" event for foster families, Operation Santa for holiday celebrations, and child welfare appreciation efforts. The conversation also covered the importance of trauma-informed care and the potential for churches to provide professional services and support systems for foster families. --> Learn More About [Wildwood Collective](https://www.wildwoodcollectiveiowa.org). ## Action Items - [ ] Learn more about the "You Matter" event celebrating foster, kinship, and adoptive families. - [ ] Inquire about getting involved with the "Operation Santa" initiative providing gifts and parties for foster families. - [ ] Explore the trauma-informed counseling and parenting resources available through the collective. ## Outline ### Care Communities and Foster Families - AJ Doyle introduces the concept of care communities, emphasizing their importance in supporting foster families. - AJ highlights the high dropout rate among foster families, with 50% quitting in the first year. - The goal is to have every church in central Iowa raise up one foster family or support an existing one to meet the demand. - AJ mentions the success of the care community model, with 90% of families continuing into the second year with support. ### Testimonials from Foster Families - Speaker 2 shares the analogy of treading water with and without a care team, emphasizing the importance of support. - Speaker 4 talks about how the care team organized helpers and educated them, making it easier for foster families. - Speaker 3, Pastor Adam, introduces himself and explains how his church supports foster care parents and the role of the collective. - Speaker 4 and Speaker 5 share their experiences as foster parents and members of a care team, highlighting the impact of support on foster families. ### Benefits of Care Teams - Speaker 4 expresses a wish for all foster kids to have the support of a care team and well-equipped foster families. - Speaker 3 emphasizes the importance of making foster care more accessible and less difficult through church support. - Speaker 2 and Speaker 4 discuss the unknowns and challenges of foster care, but also the faith and support that help them through. - Speaker 5 shares their gratitude for the opportunity to be involved in the ministry and encourages others to join. ### Church's Role in Supporting Foster Families - Speaker 3 discusses the benefits of care teams for both foster families and the church community. - Speaker 3 highlights the activation of mercy-hearted people in the church through care teams. - Speaker 3 addresses initial skepticisms and how the care team model has proven effective in their church. - Speaker 3 emphasizes the importance of small groups in supporting foster families and the minimal organizational burden of care teams. ### Expanding Care Communities - AJ Doyle encourages churches to consider supporting foster families in their community, even if they don't have foster families in their own congregation. - AJ explains the concept of care communities and how they can support foster families with practical help and prayer. - AJ shares examples of how care communities have made a significant impact in keeping foster families engaged. - AJ emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in supporting foster families and the potential for a large-scale impact. ### Collaborative Efforts and Events - AJ Doyle introduces the "You Matter" event, which celebrates foster families and kinship families with family photos and a festival atmosphere. - AJ shares the success of the "You Matter" event in previous years and its expansion to a second location. - AJ discusses the "Operation Santa" initiative, which provides gifts and celebrates families during the holidays. - AJ highlights the importance of supporting child welfare professionals and the impact of the "We See You" campaign. ### Supporting Child Welfare Professionals - AJ explains the high turnover rate among child welfare professionals and the importance of supporting them. - AJ shares the success of the "We See You" campaign, which provided daily deliveries of appreciation gifts to child welfare offices. - AJ emphasizes the importance of telling the stories of child welfare professionals and their challenging work. - AJ discusses the potential for expanding the "We See You" campaign and the positive feedback received from participants. ### Trauma-Informed Care and Scholarships - AJ introduces the idea of providing trauma-informed care grants and parent coaching to support foster families. - AJ shares the collaboration with an organization in Texas to offer counseling grants in Iowa. - AJ1 discusses the importance of equipping therapists and social workers to care for children who have experienced trauma. - AJ highlights the role of churches in providing trauma-informed care and the potential for widespread impact. ### Closing Remarks and Q&A - AJ Doyle emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in supporting foster families and the potential for a large-scale impact. - AJ encourages participants to fill out information cards to connect with available resources and support. - Guest asks about the role of immigrant communities in foster care support, and Speaker 1 explains the importance of kinship placements. - AJ addresses the legal and practical challenges of supporting child welfare professionals and the role of the collective in providing frameworks and support.