Caregiver Appreciation Dinner 2024

Members of the Alameda County Foster Parent Association (ACFPA) and its executive committee joined the Alameda County Children and Family Services (ACCFS) as they hosted their annual Caregiver Appreciation Dinner on May 10, 2024. This event celebrates the contributions of resource families, including foster, adoptive, relative, and non-relative caregivers in Alameda County, who open their hearts and homes to children in care.

This year, the event included a distinguished guest list consisting of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, and District 1 Board of Supervisor David Haubert, who was the keynote speaker. Mr. Haubert shared the need for more Resource Parents and the support that is needed to assist these families.  Ms. Price shared her story of being a former foster youth and reflected on what youth can achieve when they have love and support and believe in themselves. Also in attendance were District 2 Supervisor Elisa Márquez and ACSSA Director Andrea Ford.

ACFPA First Vice President, Charles Bracey, presented on the mission and accomplishments of the ACFPA and announced our Fundraising Campaign, aimed at bolstering our scholarship fund.

Mr. Bracey stole the show when he launched into what we hope to be an annual event, honoring our extraordinary supporters. This year’s honorees were selected by the ACFPA Board ahead of the event and, along with their families, were invited to the dinner as guests of the ACFPA. These incredible honorees consisted of Fraser Bissett, Kyler Buckhout, Mayer Shaffer and Tatyahna Munoz, shining examples of youthful compassion and initiative.

Fraser, Kyler and Mayer, eighth-grade students from Joe Michell TK-8th school in Livermore, researched and selected ACFPA for their school community project. They rallied their peers and community, raising an impressive $900, then purchased diapers and wipes to stock the ACFPA Clothing Closet. Their generosity and initiative was truly impressive and heartwarming.

Taty Munoz, has been a huge supporter of ACFPA for many years. She raised over $5000 and volunteered more than 200 hours in the Clothes Closet, prepared and donated 60 stockings to the ACFPA Christmas party and collected over 250 stuffed backpacks for the annual Backpack Giveaway.

As they received their certificates of appreciation, amidst applause and admiration, Fraser, Kyler, Mayer, and Taty stood as living testaments to the power of community, compassion, and collective action. You can read more about these incredible youth on our News page.

In addition to the presentations, resource tables with helpful information and complimentary gift baskets, guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, wonderful music, and the opportunity to sit back, relax and take in the well-deserved gratitude.

Thank you ACCFS for another wonderful event, lifting our spirits with hope and reminding us of the healing power of community.

Foster Care Awareness Month

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors issued proclamations to recognize three significant, annual occasions that are central to the work of Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA). These included CalFresh Awareness Month, Foster Care Awareness Month, and Older Americans Month.

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, ACFPA has launched a Fundraising Campaign to raise funds for our Scholarship program.

ACFPA scholarships supplement the cost of enrichment and academic activities for kids in care. They can also be used to help older kids with expenses related to college or trade school. Kids who have been awarded ACFPA scholarships have enjoyed summer and winter camps, swim lessons, gymnastics classes, choir, dance, soccer, martial arts, as well as tutoring for academic support.

Extracurricular activities are beneficial for all kids but they are critical for foster kids. According to the Youth Law Center, extracurricular activities can ensure healthy development by building resilience, improving self-efficacy, developing a positive self-identity and counteracting the harmful effects of trauma. Additionally, they can promote positive relationships, leading to improved placement stability.

If you are a caregiver, please consider applying for a scholarship to support the kids in your care.

Foster Family Support Town Hall

The following article was published in the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) newsletter dated May 16, 2024.

Board of Supervisor David Haubert (District 1) hosted a Foster Family Support Town Hall on May 8, 2024 in Livermore. Supervisor Haubert’s goal is that every foster parent have four people to provide support to them while they are caring for Alameda County’s foster youth. This support can come in a variety of ways: someone to talk to you, encourage you, provide respite, cook a meal, etc.

Present at the Town Hall were a number of foster family agencies and groups that support foster parents. Children and Family Services staff, Division Director Mia Buckner-Preston, Program Manager Jef Samp, and Recruiter Felicia Brown-Goins presented on “How to Become a Resource Family Caregiver.” 

Alameda County’s Foster Parent Association was represented by President Gwen McWilliams and Vice President Charles Bracey. People in the audience felt encouraged to either become a foster parent or lend support in some way.