RESOURCE CENTER     For Families and Kids All About Me - Form for Foster Children Best Practice in Visitation Questions Kids Want Answers For Resource Family Profile Form Foster/Adoptive Placement Questions Federal Adoption Tax Credit Information Education of Children in Foster Care iFoster - A retail discount program for foster parents     National Family and Child Welfare Advocates Casey Family Programs Established in 1966, Casey Family Programs has a mission to provide and improve—and ultimately to prevent the need for—foster care. Child Welfare Information Gateway This site promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families by connecting child welfare, adoption and related professionals as well as concerned citizens to timely, essential information. There are free educational materials on parenting special needs children. Child Welfare League of America CWLA is an association of nearly 800 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist more than 3.5 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a range of services. Chaplin Hall The Chaplin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago is a research and development center working to build knowledge to policy makers and service providers. National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association CASA supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.  National Foster Parent Association The National Foster Parent Association is the only national organization which strives to support foster parents and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children National Foster Care Month Since 1988, National Foster Care Month has been a time to raise awareness about foster care and highlight the needs of the 513,000 American children in foster care. Adopt US Kids Funded by the U.S. government, AdoptUSKids.org is dedicated to finding permanent, loving adoptive families for the thousands of U.S. children who are currently waiting in foster care. The Dave Thomas Foundation  The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, created by the founder of Wendy’s, is a non-profit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems Iowa Advocates Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association IFAPA empowers, supports and advocates for foster, adoptive and kinship families across Iowa.  IFAPA provides peer support, training and resources to promote safety, permanency and well-being for Iowa’s children. Iowa Friends of Foster Children Foundation The Iowa Friends of Foster Children Foundation was formed in 1991 and offers assistance to foster children and families to provide kids with opportunities like getting senior pictures or going to summer camp. Sites for Parenting Foster Club Foster Club is a national network for young people in foster care. This website is specifically for the supportive adults of youth in foster care. To download Foster Club's Permanency Pact, click here. A Permanency Pact is a pledge by a supportive adult to provide specific supports to a young person in foster care. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry The AACAP is dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for the 7 to 12 million American youth who suffer from mental, behavioral or developmental disorders at any given time. www.kidshealth.org A winner of several national awards, the Kids Health site was created by The Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media and provides doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. www.fosterparenting.com This website has articles, tips and resources just for foster parents. www.zerotothree.org Resources from the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. Resources for Teens  Iowa Aftercare Services Network The Iowa Aftercare Services Network assists former foster youth across the state with finding housing, jobs, community resources and opportunities for education. Represent Magazine Represent is a national magazine written by and for young people in the foster care system. Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is a national foundation whose mission is to help youth in foster care make successful transitions to adulthood. Their website has great resources and materials for youth, foster families and community members.   fyi3 For your teen! Sponsored by the National Network for Foster Children and Foster Youth—Foster Club, USA, this website encourages older foster youth to be involved, informed and independent.   Elevate Elevate is a group of young people who seek to inspire others to new levels of understanding and compassion for the needs of foster care and adoptive teens by sharing their personal stories of hope. Elevate has chapters throughout Iowa.   The Orphan Foundation of America The Orphan Foundation of America aids foster youth in transitioning from care to young adulthood. OFA emphasizes helping young men and women attend college and vocational school. College Scholarships  Visit IFAPA's web site for information on college scholarships that can benefit foster and adoptive youth youth.   Iowa College Access Network  Resources to help plan, apply, pay for and succeed in college   Iowa College Student Aid Commission Iowa College Aid is a state agency that advocates for Iowa students to help them realize their educational dreams.   FASFA Tips for Youth in Foster Care A Q & A for youth in foster care on filling out the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA). You can also find the FASFA here.   Children's Action Network Scholarship The Children's Action Network and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption have created a national scholarship program, Fostering a Future sponsored by Capitol One, to benefit older youth adopted from foster care.