Rhode Island Partnership for Family Connections

RESOURCES

CAREGIVER'S CORNER

Get support from someone who has been there. Call the Grand Divas peer support line at 401-780-2255.

Use the searchable database of resources on the left hand side of the site to find specific resources in your area or connect with the agencies and programs below that provide specific support to kinship caregivers:

Rhode Island Foster Parents Association
Telephone: 401-438-3900
www.rifpa.org
24-hour help line for all foster parents; Real Connections program for adults interested in providing mentoring support for youth in care; various programs to provide direct resources and supports to teens who have spent time in care.

Rhode Island Partnership for Family Connections
(@Rhode Island Foster Parents Association)
Kinship Care Resource Navigator Web Site
www.kinshipcareresourcenavigator.org
Online place for kinship caregivers to connect to supports including a searchable database of Rhode Island resources for kinship caregivers

Casey Family Services
1268 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02905
Telephone: 401-781-3669
1-800-499-7141
Fax: 401-781-0945
www.caseyfamilyservices.org
Family Resource Center and various services and supports for caregivers, children and youth

Grand Divas (@Casey Family Services)
Telephone: 401-780-2255
E-mail: granddivas@gmail.com
Help-line and support groups for kinship caregivers

Family Resources Community Action
245 Main Street
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
Telephone: 401-766-0900
TDD: 401-767-4081
www.famresri.org
Various resources for kinship caregivers in Northern Rhode Island

Adoption Rhode Island
Two Bradford Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-865-6000
www.adoptionri.org
Information on adoption of children in DCYF care.

Top 10 Tips for Relative Caregivers to Implement Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
Transportation

"Out of the minds and hearts of babes"

As we often learn lessons from the very young, I wanted to share this story with you…

The story,

Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?"

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box, all for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Story teller,
Unknown

An offering from a foster mother to me…

Ileana

Precious Granddaughter

I have been a member of the Grand divas for the past four years. I had retired from teaching, and was looking forward to enjoying my retirement years. My grand-daughter came into my life with joys and challenges. I raised her for five years, giving her my love and support. Yet, I must admit, during this time there were days when I felt very isolated and exhausted.
The Grand Divas Group became a lifesaver to me. It gave me support, camaraderie, information and physical exercise. I realized that so many people were in my situation. I have learned so much while trying to help others. The Grand Divas have become my family. My precious granddaughter is now home with her parents and I am grandma!

Diane (62)

Click here to read Karen's Story
Click here to read Joyce's Story