Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) offers volunteer opportunities to limited-income persons age 60 and older.  Foster Grandparents provide one-on-one assistance to children with special and exceptional needs. 

FGP volunteers in North Florida serve at public schools, schools for special needs children, pediatric units, day care centers and teenage parent programs.  The Foster Grandparents:

• Tutor children, teach remedial academic skills, help motivate students, and assist with socialization skills.
• Mentor children by listening to them, talking with them, and providing emotional support
• Assist with rehab exercises and teach self-care skills.
• Encourage children and help them prepare to return to their families and living environments.
• Hold and care for the babies, read aloud to the young children, and act as role models.
• Teach parenting skills to teen mothers.

Local Service Area

FGP of North Florida recruits and places Foster Grandparents in nine counties:  Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, and Wakulla.

Volunteer Sites

Calhoun:

North Florida Child Development, Inc.

Gadsden:

Gadsden County Schools, Dick Howser

Gulf:

N. FL Child Development, Inc.

Jackson:

CACL/Hope, Jackson Co. Schools

Jefferson:

Kids, Inc. Early Head Start

Leon:

Leon County School Board

Leon County Schools Title I Program

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Pediatrics

Teenage Parent Programs

Gretchen School for Children with Special Needs

Capital City Youth Services

McCauley Cluster

Kids Inc.

TCC Eagles’ Nest

Dick Howser Day Care

Chappell Ina S. Thompson Child Care

Gwen Cherry Child Development Center

Innovation Child Care Center

Miracle Years Child Care

Refuge House

Budd Bell Early Learning

Watch Me Grow Day Care

A Little Heaven (Mahan Dr.)

A Little Heaven (Apalachee Parkway)

Liberty:

N. FL Child Development, Inc.

Madison:

Kids Inc. Bright Beginnings & Bright Days

N. FL Child Development, Inc.

Wakulla:

N. FL Child Development, Inc.

Wakulla Co. Schools

Training

Foster Grandparents receive 20 hours of pre-service orientation and training, plus four hours of in-service training each month from their sponsoring agencies or the volunteer stations.

Benefits

Foster Grandparents receive a modest tax-free stipend and assistance with an annual physical exam.  While in service, they receive accident, personal and automobile liability insurance as well as assistance with daily meals and the cost of transportation.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Julie Prevatt at (850) 921-5554 or prevattj@ecsbigbend.org or apply online: