NEW MEXICO FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN FUND – WHAT IS THAT?

HOW THE FUND CAN HELP YOUR FOSTER CHILD / CHILDREN!

Background: In September 2003, the Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) of the New Mexico Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board (CRB) created the New Mexico Friends of Foster Children Fund (NMFFCF). After reviewing the cases of abused and neglected children, CRB volunteers felt the need to be part of the solution by enriching the lives of children in foster care and supporting their growth. In April 2003, CRB volunteers initiated the Duffels and Diapers drive that collected and distributed over 3,100 pieces of luggage and 14,200 diapers to foster children around the state. This event was the precursor to the creation of the New Mexico Friends of Foster Children Fund.

About NMFFCF: The project issues awards to children in foster care that support and maximize their potential. The Fund meets its objectives thanks to CRB volunteers who assist in all aspects of the Fund’s functioning. Funding for NMFFCF comes in the form of volunteer-driven fundraising activities, donations, and grants. During the short time NMFFCF has existed, more than half of New Mexico’s counties have taken advantage of the Funds benefits. As more counties participate and more requests for awards are made, the larger the Fund needs to grow.

While the State seeks to do as much as it can to encourage and support the health and well-being of the children in its custody, there is much it does not or cannot provide for these children. NMFFCF seeks to supplement the State’s limited resources. Though foster parents are reimbursed for a portion of the costs associated with caring for New Mexico’s children, their resources are stretched thin. As they discuss in the CRB Interim Report on Foster Parenting in New Mexico (available on our website www.nmcrb.org), foster parents struggle to provide more than the essentials for the children they house and nurture. The Fund enhances the morale of foster parents, permanency planning workers, guardians ad litem, youth attorneys, CASA volunteers, and others by providing music lessons, bikes, tutoring, items and activities which were previously unavailable.

Who is eligible? Adjudicated foster children of the state of New Mexico.

Who can apply? Foster parents, CASA volunteers, permanency planning workers and other workers, guardian ad litems, youth attorneys, CRB members, treatment foster agency workers, or the child themselves.

How can I get an application? Contact the CRB office at 505-217-0226, toll free 866-857-2976 or email info@nmcrb.org. Blank applications can be photo-copied.

Is the application hard or long? No, it is a simple two page application. Only one child and one item per application. We do not fund for reimbursements. The foster parent or permanency planning worker must sign the application.

Contributions to NMFFCF are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Tax ID: 85-0385-103.  Please mail contributions to New Mexico Friends of Foster Children Fund P.O. Box 30228 Albuquerque, NM 87190.