Fall River Foster Care Support Task Force

The United Neighbors of Fall River Foster Care Support Task Force is made up of Department of Social Services staff, community agency representatives, community-based organizations, statewide foster care recruitment supervisors, former foster youth & foster/adoptive parents.  The Task Force works to raise community awareness of the needs of foster care and to build a comprehensive local network of support to foster families.

Our Projects and Events:

Foster Care Public Service Announcement

The Foster Care Support Task Force worked with Durfee High School's FRED TV to create Fall River's first foster care public service announcement.  Look for it on public access tv and this coming year on the larger networks!

Blue Ribbon Ceremony For Foster Care Support

May is National Foster Care Month.  During the month, the Foster Care Support Task Force organizes the annual event to bring community awareness to foster care and recognize our unsung heroes, foster parents!

Foster Family Appreciation Event

Also during National Foster Care Month, to show our appreciation and support for the hundreds of foster families in the Greater Fall River area, we host this fun filled event! 

Foster Families' Annual Picnic

The Fall River DSS Family Resource unit, United Neighbors of Fall River Foster Care Support Task Force, Fall River DSS area board, MSPCC/Kid's Net and the Old Colony Y Program collaborated to organize this annual event.  Foster families from the Greater Fall River Community are invited to attend and enjoy an afternoon of free food, drinks, desserts and family fun.  There are activities for the children that include: face painting, a moon bounce, DJ, hay rides, carnival games and so much more. 

Facts About Foster Care Community Campaign

This campaign started out as a community placemat project and quickly spread to a major community campaign that has earned us articles in the local newspapers, radio spots and statewide recognition.  The Facts About Foster Care Campaign highlights the little known facts about foster care and is seen in area restaurants, schools, delivered with Domino's Pizza deliveries, health centers, the Fall River Public Library and throughout the community.  We are currently in the process of providing workshops across the state on how to implement the project in other communities.  If you are learning more about the Community Placemat project, please see our Coalition Projects page.

Birth & Foster Family Connections Initiative

This is a new initiative that the Task Force is helping to implement in the DSS office.  This initiative brings together the birth parent and the foster parent for a one time meeting to discuss the needs of the child.  It allows the birth parent to still feel like they are part of their child's care while the child is placed out of their home.  It also allows the foster parent to learn important information about that child such as, their likes and dislikes, their medical needs, bedtime/nap schedule and routines, favorite toys, games, etc...   The goal of these meetings is to make the child's transition a smooth one and ultimately decrease the time a child is in care.  This project is being funded by the Center for the Study of Social Policy.  A parent handbook has been developed by this committee for parents whose children have been placed into foster care.  These booklets are available at the Fall River DSS office and at various agencies that work with families in Fall River. 

Fostering a Future ~ True Stories of Foster Care Newsletter

This new project takes articles from foster parents, foster youth, social workers and biological parents to reduce the stigma of individuals involved with the Department.  This newsletter helps to shed light on who foster youth, foster parents and biological parents really are.  It is also the hope that the articles will promote more homes for adolescents in foster care. 

Other Projects and events:

• Facts About Foster Care Community Placemat Campaign
• Facts About Foster Care Bus Campaign
• RISE Newsletters (for parents by parents)
• Community Networking Events
• MAPP Training Bags for Foster Parents

Our Committee

Jenny DiBlasi~ United Neighbors of Fall River

Janet Shartle ~ May Children's Services

Sandra Fitzsimmons Department of Social Services

Judith Camara Department of Social Services

Annie Ruth  ~ Foster/Adoptive parent

Sandra Hart ~ Department of Social Services

Judi Rocha ~ Department of Social Services

Louis Poisson ~ Department of Social Services

John Raposa ~ Department of Social Services

Katie Welsh ~ Department of Social Services

Ana Aubut ~ United Neighbors of Fall River

Christine Barboza ~ Parent

Tom Dunse ~ Old Colony Y

Scott Brum ~ Key Program

Dorrie Nunes ~ Foster Parent Liaison

Emily Ward ~ Volunteer

Najwa Akouri ~ United Neighbors of FR

Michelle Gordon ~ DSS Central

Are you interested in joining our committee?  Please go to the contact us page and sign up. 

Pics of our events!!
Blue Ribbon Ceremony

Foster Family Appreciation Event