We all benefit with a little help from our friends!
The members of foster care support groups are people just like you who have opened their homes to care for children. Foster Caregiver Support groups are made up of like-minded individuals who share real-life information with each other and who provide support to each other when it is needed.
Support groups are membership organizations where members share with each other – their joys and the difficulties – for mutual benefit. Support groups usually hold monthly meetings, arrange for free training (and often provide sitters), and provide opportunities for members to help each other between meetings.
One of the most important steps any foster caregiver, kinship caregiver, and adoptive parent can take is to join and participate in their local foster caregiver support group.
Louisiana Foster and Kinship Caregiver Support Groups
| Support Group | Region |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parents Association Contact: Peggy Kirby, Director Email: Kirp50@juno.com Phone: 1 (318) 614-8177 Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parent Association provides training, funding and support to local foster and adoptive parent associations. Provides educational scholarships for youth aging out of foster care. | Statewide |
| Leesville – Vernon Parish Foster Parent Association Contact: Tammy Mock Email: Tammymock7@gmail.com | Alexandria |
| Fostering Community Contact: Andria Fontenot, Director 3336 Prescott Road Alexandria, LA 71315 Phone: 1-318-446-0403 Email: info@FosteringCommunity.org FaceBook: Facebook.com/FosteringCommunity.org A Foster Support and Resource Organization that works to improve the lives of children impacted by foster care through advocacy, resources, and support. Provides a teen support night on the last Tuesday of each month. | Alexandria |
| BR Foster Moms - online Support Group Contact: Susan Naquin Phone: 1-985-212-4684 Email: susan.naquin1@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2061079200649837 BR Foster Moms is a page where foster parents can participate no matter what stage their little ones are in. The mission of this group is to support, encourage, and care for one through the foster care journey. The goal of the closed Facebook group is to grow in size, and eventually meet in person for monthly support. | Baton Rouge |
| Tangipahoa Area Foster & Adoptive Parents Association Contact: Lashaun Nicholson, President 1-951-662-1135 Email: lashaunnicholson@gmail.com | Covington |
| Extra Mile Phone: 1-337-237-2090 720 St. John Lafayette, LA 70501 Web: The Extra Mile - Region IV | Lafayette |
| Allen Parish Foster & Adoptive Parents Association Contact: Darlene Brown Phone: 1-318-306-2409 Email: missdprincella@aol.com | Lake Charles |
| Happy Hearts Foster & Adoptive Families Support Group Contact: Brooke Buxton Phone: 1-337-888-0160 Email: brookeandpalir@gmail.com Area: Dequincy | Lake Charles |
| Beauregard Foster & Adoptive Parents Association | Lake Charles |
| Lake Charles Foster Parent Association Contact: Sarah Burleigh Phone: 1-337-263-2711 Email: Burleigh.srr@hotmail.com Email: burleighslr@hotmail.com | Lake Charles |
| Calcasieu-Cameron Foster & Adoptive Parents Association | Lake Charles |
| Iowa Area Foster and Adoption Support Group Contact: Bethany Oliver Phone: 1-904-556-9265 Email: bethanyaoliver@gmail.com | Lake Charles |
| Foster Care Ambassador's Virtual Meeting Email: margie@louisianafostercare.com Meeting is held on second Tuesday of each month from 2-3PM (subject to change as needed). | Monroe |
| The Well's Foster Family Pizza Night 413 N. Homer Street Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 232-2865 Email: Info@thewellnla.com Facebook: Facebook.com/thewellnla/ | Monroe |
| McClendon Baptist Church 206 Downing Pines Road West Monroe, LA 71291 Phone: 1 (318) 322-3782 Facebook: Facebook.com/McClendonBaptist Meets with foster parents on the first Sunday of the month at 5PM. Please contact in advance if childcare is required. | Monroe |
| Ruston Foster Mom's Support Group 413 N. Homer Street Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 232-2865 Email: Info@thewellnla.com Facebook: Facebook.com/thewellnla/ Hosted by The Well of Ruston, this group generally meets every other week to provide ongoing support for Mom's providing foster care. | Monroe |
| OpenTable Contact: Glenn Roundtree Email: glenn@jamessamaritan.org Web: www.JamesSamaritan.org | Monroe |
| Northwest Foster & Adoptive Parents Association | Shreveport |
| Northpoint Community Church 4204 Airline Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 | Shreveport |
| Broadmoor Baptist Church 4110 Youree Drive Shreveport, LA 71105 Phone: 1-318-868-6552 Email: info@broadmoor.tv Hosts faith-based QPI Meetings and training events. | Shreveport |
| Shreveport/Bossier Foster Group This private Facebook group meets at facebook.com/groups/171651879560905 | Shreveport |
| Foster Closet at Cypress/Cypress Baptist Church Contact: Megan Barker 4701 Palmetto Road Benton, LA 71006 Phone: 1-318-965-2296 Email: fosterclosetatcypress@gmail.com In addition to the Foster Closet, Cypress Baptist Church hosts training events for foster caregivers, provide meals, and host Parents' Night Out. | Shreveport |
| Standing Together: Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group Louisiana Contact: Kathleen Hotard Phone: 1-985-232-4778 Email: kathleenhotard3354@gmail.com | Thibodaux |
| Bayou Region Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Contact: Heather Williams Phone: 1-985-262-9511 Email: bayouregionfapa@gmail.com Web: www.BayouRegionFAPA.org Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BayouRegionFAPA | Thibodaux |
| River Parishes Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Contact: Sheri Soper, President Phone: 1 (225) 571-6632 "Texting is easier." Email: riverparishesfapa@gmail.com | Thibodaux |