Florida Foster Parent Association and Respite Care: Support Resources for Foster Families

Burnout is one of the leading causes of foster parent license abandonment in Florida. The families most at risk are not necessarily the ones managing the most difficult placements — they are often the families who did not know where to turn for support and quietly became overwhelmed. Florida has a robust support infrastructure for licensed foster parents, but it requires you to know it exists and ask for it.

The two pillars of that infrastructure are the Florida Foster/Adoptive Parent Association and the respite care system coordinated through CBC lead agencies.

Florida Foster/Adoptive Parent Association (FFAPA)

The Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association (FFAPA) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the primary advocacy and support body for licensed foster and adoptive parents in Florida. All licensed Florida foster parents are automatically considered FFAPA members — there is no separate registration or dues payment required.

FFAPA operates at both the state level (lobbying, policy advocacy, legislative engagement) and the local level through chapters organized by circuit or county. The organization has been a persistent voice in the Florida legislature on issues of foster parent rights, board rate increases, and extended foster care funding.

What FFAPA provides:

FAST Team (Foster/Adoptive Support Team). This is arguably FFAPA's most immediately useful resource. When a foster parent receives notice of a complaint, investigation, or license action, the FAST Team can assign a peer advocate — an experienced foster parent volunteer — to accompany them to meetings, explain the process, and provide emotional support throughout the investigation. This is not legal representation, but having a knowledgeable advocate present during agency proceedings is practically significant.

Legislative advocacy. FFAPA tracks foster-care-related legislation at the Florida legislature and mobilizes its membership to engage with lawmakers on proposed changes to board rates, foster parent rights, and child welfare policy.

Educational resources. FFAPA maintains a resource library and offers training events, regional meetings, and conference programs for foster and adoptive parents.

Peer connection. Local FFAPA chapters run support group meetings where foster parents can share experiences, ask questions, and build the kind of peer community that research consistently identifies as protective against burnout.

To find your local FFAPA chapter, visit floridafapa.org. Chapter activity varies significantly — some have active monthly meetings, others are primarily online. If your circuit's chapter is inactive, DCF's "Support Fostering" program page at myflfamilies.com lists additional support resources by region.

Respite Care in Florida

Respite care is temporary substitute care — another licensed foster home temporarily caring for a child so that the primary foster family can rest, attend to personal obligations, or handle a family emergency. It is formally recognized in Florida's CBC system as a necessary component of supporting foster parent retention.

How respite works. When a foster parent needs a break, they contact their CBC lead agency to request respite. The agency identifies an available licensed respite provider — another foster family who has been approved to provide short-term care — and arranges the placement. Respite can range from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the need.

The child remains on the primary foster family's case during respite — case management, visitation schedules, and court proceedings continue as normal. Respite is a temporary break, not a placement change.

Who provides respite. Respite providers in Florida are licensed foster homes that have specifically agreed to accept short-term placements. Some families provide respite exclusively rather than maintaining full-time placements. Others are regular foster families who occasionally accept respite placements when space allows. FFAPA local chapters often coordinate informal respite networks among their members in addition to the formal CBC system.

How to request respite. Contact your licensing coordinator or the on-call placement coordinator at your CBC lead agency. Be specific about the dates and duration you need. In some circuits, respite availability is limited and requires advance notice — waiting until you are in crisis to request respite often results in it not being available when you need it most. Build a respite relationship with your agency before you need it urgently.

Emergency respite. Most lead agencies maintain an on-call 24/7 placement coordinator who can arrange emergency respite in acute situations. This number should be in your phone before your first placement — ask for it at your orientation or licensing appointment.

Additional Support Resources by Region

Beyond FFAPA and respite care, several circuit-specific resources are worth knowing:

DCF's Support Fostering program at myflfamilies.com/foster-care/support-fostering lists resources by region including support groups, community events, and training opportunities.

ChildNet's current foster parent portal (Circuits 15/17 — Palm Beach and Broward) provides a dedicated current foster parent section with training calendars, forms, and support contacts.

Family Partnerships of Central Florida (Circuits 9/18 — Orange, Osceola, Seminole) offers a placement stability program that assigns therapeutic consultants to foster families experiencing challenging placements.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Program is not specifically a foster parent resource, but developing a working relationship with a child's assigned guardian ad litem is one of the most effective ways to ensure your observations about a child's needs reach the court.

Preventing Burnout Before It Starts

The families who stay licensed longest tend to share a few characteristics: they used respite before reaching their limit, they maintained at least one peer relationship with another foster family, and they were honest with their licensing coordinator when placements were not going well.

The CBC system has an interest in keeping experienced, stable foster families licensed. If you are struggling with a placement, communicate that early. Asking for help is not a mark against you — it is what the support structure exists for.

The Florida Foster Care Licensing Guide covers the full licensing process and how to work effectively with your CBC lead agency from the first day of training through ongoing placements.

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