Support groups exist on social media for every topic you can think of, including foster care. Families in your system should have access to a social media based support group.
How to do this
Appoint an outside group or agency to run the group. Families aren't comfortable in agency-run groups.
Make sure the group has clear guidance for what to do if a member is in crisis or if there is suspected child abuse or neglect.
Agency employees should not join these groups.
Anticipated costs and benefits
Costs
Benefits
None
Increased sense of community among foster parents
Indirect source of recruitment and retention
Who's doing this
1 of 54 states and territories have implemented this recommendation.
Michigan experienced success augmenting its online foster parent training programs with a private Facebook group during the pandemic to help build community when people could not get together face to face.