Apps for foster parents put effective support at their fingertips. In the child welfare space, nonprofits and government agencies are embracing digital resources. Among their number is our Tennessee-based partner, the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI). With our help, the GFBCI created Every Child TN to better serve children and families involved in foster care. Resources include tech like the Foster Friendly app, and it’s already making a difference for foster parents like Elizabeth.
Online Foster Care Support
Every Child TN launched in August 2024 as a statewide initiative to serve children in foster care and foster families. This collaborative effort is designed to provide holistic support and fill any gaps in care. To make these resources easily accessible for parents, Every Child TN turned to the Foster Friendly app. Created by America’s Kids Belong, the Foster Friendly app connects foster families to:
- Discounts: Local businesses with deals for foster families list their discounts on Foster Friendly. These range from haircuts and tutoring to home and auto care.
- Community Support: With both in-person and online options, foster parents can find support groups to meet other parents, receive advice, and share their foster journey.
- Faith Communities: Each faith group on the Foster Friendly app offers a dedicated space for foster families. To help families find their fit, churches receive icons by their names to indicate if they are trauma-aware, offer a foster support ministry, or teach on foster care.
Foster Friendly provides a one-stop resource to find savings on family expenses, local support, and churches with strong foster connections. Every function is designed to help foster parents on their journey. In a recent case, the Foster Friendly app helped pave the way for new foster mom Elizabeth to welcome sibling groups into her home.
Embracing Apps for Foster Parents
At a spring 2025 conference, Every Child TN shared its mission with mental health professionals from across the state, including a woman in the crowd named Elizabeth. The presentation emphasized the urgent need for foster parents and community support. That evening, Elizabeth shared what she learned with her husband, and their conversation changed their lives. They decided that night to start their journey as foster parents.
Once they began the licensing process, Elizabeth embraced the available online tools. She downloaded the Foster Friendly app to connect with local organizations and businesses committed to serving foster families. In just a matter of days, Elizabeth and her husband’s initial “yes” blossomed into a network of support, action, and community building. Now, the family feels prepared to welcome sibling sets into their home as soon as they receive their foster license. This is the power of effective tech in child welfare, and it’s a major part of Every Child TN’s success.
More Apps for Foster Parents
The Foster Friendly app is only available in certain states. However, the following apps for foster parents put quality care in the palm of their hands.
- CarePortal: Our partner, CarePortal, provides a care-sharing platform for real-time needs. For example, a foster family with an urgent need submits a request for help through their caseworker. This ensures every request is legitimate.
The best part? Local community members are the responders. These include churches, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. Engaging the community creates an opportunity to form lasting connections near home.
We’ve shared some incredible stories about CarePortal’s effect on families and even entire neighborhoods. Ask your caseworker about CarePortal’s availability in your area, or read our interview with CarePortal founder and president, Adrien Lewis.
- Foster Greatness: Created by individuals with foster care experience, the Foster Greatness app provides community and guidance from others who understand foster care on a personal level. With content for youth and adults, it benefits the whole family.
Parents in particular can find discussion panels, local resources, educational content, and more. They also host workshops for parents who grew up in foster care.
- Reddit: Supportive communities don’t need to be backed by a nonprofit organization. Reddit hosts independent discussion forums for almost any topic, including foster parenting.
To join, download the Reddit app, create an account, and type “foster parent” in the search bar. Multiple forums will appear that you can join. The most active ones include:
The Future of Foster Care Support
Elizabeth’s story reveals what can be accomplished with effective, accessible resources. Apps for foster parents are just one example of the way technology enhances the ability to serve children and families.
People like Elizabeth are why For Others empowers best-in-class organizations to create data-driven solutions in child welfare. The more foster families that receive game-changing support, the more children who receive quality care. It’s all part of our solution to end the child welfare crisis state by state.
Be a part of the mission by taking action in your state today.
