Erin Kremer became a mother eight years ago when she opened her home to the first of more than 20 children through the state foster care program - Joseph and Emma Anne, who were eventually adopted.
At the same time she was entering the foster care world, the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) was taking shape.
To maintain her license with the state, the single mom had to earn continuing education hours. That's how she found the new association.
She found a similarity with the others seeking training through the association, and a support group grew. Kremer said she was particularly keen on the monthly training meetings because they provided child care, where the children under her care could socialize with others in their situation, too.
As Kremer's family grew, so did the support association.
The United Way of Central Missouri member "is a not-for-profit agency that educates, supports, and advocates for foster and adoptive children, youth and families in central Missouri by offering services and partnering with community and governmental agencies to develop healthy and self-sufficient individuals and families."
The agency has helped Kremer and her children through several other programs, including the Begin Again Backpack program, the Respite program, the Adoptive Parent Network support group and online training, car seat distribution, food distribution, school supply distribution, and farmers market voucher program.
When children enter the foster care system, they immediately need a car seat. It can get expensive if a foster parent must buy a new one for each child, who may stay only a few days, who enters their home, Kremer noted.
How to donate
Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, president of United Way of Central Missouri, at 636-4100 or ann.bax@unitedwayce….Through the association, a child gets a car seat that follows him, she said. For example, Kremer recently had two young girls placed with her for one weekend. She received car seats for them from the association. Then, when they were moved into a more permanent family placement, the seats went with them.
Another service essential to supporting foster families is the Begin Again Backpack. Inside each, which are given to children when they initially are removed from their home, are blankets, hygiene items, a stuffed animal and vouchers for clothing at local stores.
The first day a child is place with a foster family, the priority is everyone getting to know each other and establishing a safe sense, Kremer said. The backpacks give the children something that is theirs in the strange surroundings.
The agency was founded in 2007 by a former foster youth, foster parents and adoptive parents to provide for the needs of foster, adoptive, kinship, and guardianship youth and families. What began as a small support group has grown into a multi-faceted organization that provides direct support, education, services, and advocacy to foster and adoptive families in 13 Central Missouri counties.
In 2013, CMFCAA partnered with the Missouri Department of Social Services and LINC as the Central Missouri Adoption Resource Center.
More than 640 foster families, 1,400 foster children and 400 adopted children currently are being served through the association's programs.
The Resource Center in Jefferson City at 809 Swifts Highway is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 573-298-0258 or visit ccfosteradopt.com.
How to donate
In order to be tax deductible, checks must be made payable to the United Way of Central Missouri and the United Way must retain the right to specifically determine whom the donation will benefit.
The United Way will establish "A Christmas Wish" fund, and donors can give a gift "in the name of" someone specific, or a United Way partner agency.
A volunteer committee will oversee the distribution of these funds.
If you want to help fill a Christmas wish in Mid-Missouri, mail checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive, Jefferson City, Mo., 65109. "News Tribune Christmas Wish Fund" should be noted on the memo line of the check.
Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, president of United Way of Central Missouri, at 573-636-4100 or [email protected].