Helping Children in Kinship and Relative Care Feel Safe, Prepared, and Valued

Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and other Relative and Kinship Care Families

Across Georgia, thousands of grandparents and kinship caregivers are unexpectedly stepping into the role of primary caregiver for grandchildren or other child relatives. Many do so with little notice, limited financial support, and without access to the basic resources children need to feel secure and confident in their new environment.

Foster Care Support Foundation (FCSF) supports these families by ensuring that children being raised by grandparents and other relative caregivers have access to essential items that promote stability, dignity, and well-being.

Who We Serve

FCSF serves children across the state of Georgia who are being raised by:

• Grandparents

• Relatives

• Kinship caregivers

• Foster and non-traditional displaced care providers

Many of the caregivers we support receive little to no financial assistance to help offset the costs of caring for children. Our services help bridge that gap.

Relative Care | Fictive Kin | Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Eligibility:

• Children in these care settings are eligible for four seasons of support if they are receiving zero to base per diem or comparable compensation.

• If they are not receiving any per diem, SSI, or equivalent compensation, they can be served until age 18 or high school graduation.

• Biological parents must not reside in the home.

• A DFCS case number may not be required.

How Foster Care Support Foundation Supports Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

FCSF supports grandparents raising grandchildren in Georgia by focusing on the immediate and ongoing needs of the children in their care. Our services are designed to reduce financial strain on caregivers while helping children adjust to sudden changes in their lives.

Through our Distribution Program, eligible families receive:

• Full seasonal wardrobes (clothing and shoes)

• School supplies and backpacks

• Developmental and educational toys

• Recreational items and bicycles

• Safe infant and toddler care equipment, such as strollers and high chairs

All items are provided free of charge to verified families raising children in kinship and relative care.

Supporting Stability During Sudden Life Changes

Children placed with grandparents or other relatives often arrive with very little — sometimes nothing at all. These sudden transitions can be overwhelming for both children and caregivers.

By providing essential resources at no cost, FCSF helps:

• Children feel more comfortable and confident in their new surroundings

• Grandparents focus on caregiving without added financial pressure

• Families create a sense of normalcy during a difficult transition

Our approach centers on supporting the child while strengthening the caregiver’s ability to meet their needs.

Grands Raising Grands Holiday Wish Program

In addition to year-round support, FCSF offers the Grands Raising Grands Holiday Wish Program, which serves children living in grandparent and other kinship care households who may not qualify for other holiday assistance programs.

Through this program:

• Children submit holiday wish lists

• Community donors (“Wish Granters”) fulfill those wishes

• Children also receive clothing, shoes, and other needed items

This program ensures that children being raised by grandparents or relative caregivers can experience joy, dignity, and inclusion during the holiday season.

A Trusted Georgia Nonprofit Serving Grandfamilies Since 2000

Foster Care Support Foundation has served displaced children across Georgia for over two decades. Our programs are built on partnerships with child welfare professionals, community organizations, and verified referral sources to ensure resources reach families who need them most.

We are committed to:

• Accountability and transparency

• Respecting the dignity of children and caregivers

• Strengthening families through community-based support

Learn More or Get Support

If you are a grandparent raising grandchildren, a kinship caregiver, or a professional seeking resources for a kinship care family, we encourage you to explore our programs and learn more about how Foster Care Support Foundation can help.

You are not alone, and support is available.