“Association with other foster parents makes fostering much easier. Rarely do you find a person who understands why you foster – unless it’s other foster parents.” -Foster Parent 2006
Many foster, adoptive and kinship families feel most comfortable with families who are similar to their own—families who can provide friendship, support, ideas and information about caring for their children. Without help, finding other foster/adoptive families to turn to for help can be a daunting and sometimes impossible task.
Utah Foster Care Foundation (UFCF), the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Utah Foster/Adoptive Family Association (UFAFA) and the adoption community work together to provide Cluster support groups to help foster/adoptive families find other families like their own.
A Cluster is a support group of approximately 15-50 foster, adoptive or kinship families (couples or singles) who organize to support the caregiving experience. Each Cluster is facilitated by a foster/adoptive parent, who helps to organize the topic, location and other details each month.
Clusters are not only grouped by geographical area, but also by whether they provide foster, adoptive, kinship or specialized care. Salt Lake Valley Region also sponsors a Cluster devoted to Spanish-speaking families.
Clusters provide foster/adoptive families with an avenue for emotional and social support, opportunities to earn In-service training hours, receive care-giving advice and assistance from other foster/adoptive families and access additional resources and information.
Foster families are typically able to earn the 12 yearly In-service hours required for re-licensure through their Cluster support groups.
Please click the link below for the Cluster Group nearest you. If you have any questions or wish to join a Cluster, please call the facilitator that is listed for your area or call Nikki MacKay at 877.505.KIDS.
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Toll-free: 877.505.KIDS
Local: 801.994.5205
moreinfo@utahfostercare.org