Toolkits and Workbooks (free to download)
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Books to Read
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Websites and Blogs
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Ways to Care for Orphans without Fostering or Adopting
- Pray for them. If you know a child personally who is without a family, plead with the father on their behalf. If you don’t know one personally, you can print out a picture of a waiting child in your state foster care system. In Texas you can visit http://www.heartgallerytexas.com/view-gallery.
- Provide for their tangible needs. Contact a local emergency children’s shelter, a residential treatment facility, foster care agency, or Child Protective Services to inquire about what materials and resources vulnerable, abused and waiting children in Austin need.
- Become an Advocate. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) spend time getting to know a child in foster care and then speak to the court on their behalf so judges make decisions that are in the best interest of the child. Visit the national website, www.nationalcasa.org, to find info on local CASA organizations.
- Become a Friend. Become a volunteer at one of the local children’s emergency shelters, children’s homes or transitional living units for teens aging out of foster care. Become a reliable volunteer who is willing to invest in the life of at least one child over a sustained period of time. The following are in the Austin area: Austin Children’s Shelter; Lifeworks; STARRY; Texas Baptist Children’s Home; Helping Hand Home; The Settlement Home.
- Support families who foster or adopt. Families especially need support when they first bring a child into their home. Adopting a child regardless of the age can be like bringing a newborn home from the hospital. Provide basic items, help around the house or run errands. Foster families might need emergency items as many placements come with little information or what they need. Become a licensed Respite Care Provider for Foster Families.
- Provide funds for adoption. Private domestic and international adoption can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many organizations, such as, ABBAFund, help raise funds. You can also begin an adoption fund at your church.
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Resources for Sensory Process Needs
- The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz—lots of easy to use sensory rich activities.
- I Love You Rituals by Becky Bailey—more sensory rich activities.
- www.Out-of-Sync-Child.com—Carol Kranowitz’s website.
- www.spdfoundation.net—SPD Foundation.
- www.nationalautismresources.com—to order “chewlery” and other sensory aides.
- www.alertprogram.com—details about How Does Your Engine Run?
- www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com; www.weightedblanket.net; www.affordabletherapysolutions.com; —to order weighted blankets at 10-15% of the child’s body weight.