Everyone has been affected by the terrible COVID-19 pandemic—from the loss of a loved one, to the loss of a business or job, as well as many struggling with sickness, anxiety or depression—it has indeed been a difficult year for all. Children in foster care, mental health programs, and residential facilities have not been immune to the challenges that arose during these difficult times, and I’d like to thank you for your thought and concern for the children we serve.

After a treacherous year of hardship, the programs that provide care for these children are struggling to maintain uninterrupted services, which are vital to vulnerable youth. Expenses skyrocketed as direct services required additional staff and increased hours to meet the needs of the situation. COVID quarantine wards were established at congregate residential facilities with separate, dedicated staff to treat infected youth and mitigate the spread of the virus. School closures and facility lock-downs caused the need for additional cafeteria workers and food supply. Technology including laptops, web cams, and headsets became a necessity for social workers and therapists to continue services remotely. Due to new protocols, direct care staff required face masks, gloves, medical gowns, plexiglass dividers, sanitizing supplies, and much more to safely continue their work as essential workers. However, PPE supplies were scarce and expensive. The costs incurred through the pandemic has been tremendous and the effects continue.

Please consider a donation to the Children’s Foundation of America to support direct care services to children who greatly need consistent foster care, mental health, and residential services. These children deserve the highest quality of uninterrupted care. Because of the financial toll of the pandemic, these services are now in danger of being affected. A donation of any amount makes big a difference.

Thank you for continuing to keep these children in your thoughts and for providing the support they greatly need,

Jenelle Phillips
Director of Development

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