table of contents
Featuring Insights from Amneris Feliciano, Kids Net Regional Director; Sam Gragg, Director of Adoption and Foster Care; Lisa Levine, Director of Foster Parent Education; Kelley Roy, Kids Net Regional Director; Eric Schofield, Kids Net Regional Director; and James Walsh, Kids Net Regional Director
For any parent, the back-to-school season can be hectic: a whirlwind of supply lists, shifting routines, and complicated feelings about the impending new school year. For foster, pre-adoptive, and kinship caregivers, those transitions often layer on top of the ongoing joys and challenges of welcoming a child into their home as they work to provide the consistency, love, and guidance that leads to long-term success for children who have already experienced disruption, trauma, or instability.
“Being a foster care provider is really challenging,” said Lisa, who helps lead statewide CPR training for foster parents. “I think of Kids Net as a resource to clear the path as best we can. It’s never going to be easy, but we can make the road smoother.” Last year alone, foster parents connected with Kid’s Net staff more than 7,600 times, underscoring just how essential these supports are for families across Massachusetts.
Meeting Needs in Every Season
Operated by MSPCC, a division of Eliot, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Kid’s Net program is built to respond to the evolving needs of foster families — during back-to-school and at every stage of the year.
When September rolls around, Kid’s Net and its partners help ease the financial pinch families often face by hosting back-to-school events across the state, distributing backpacks and supplies so every child starts the school year prepared.
“We react to that need by doing backpack events,” said Kelley. “Any family that needs one, we make sure they have it.”
Practical Support That Makes a Difference
Beyond seasonal events, Kid’s Net provides year-round resources that give caregivers room to breathe. Families can access 10 nights of respite care annually and 10 hours of babysitting per month, both reimbursed to approved providers.
In the past year, Kid’s Net facilitated more than 5,000 nights of respite, nearly 2,000 hours of childcare, and over 15,000 hours of babysitting — time that gave foster parents the ability to attend work events, handle personal commitments, or simply recharge. By giving caregivers the bandwidth to show up rested, focused, and emotionally present, Kid’s Net promotes the kind of nurturing, stable environments where children can grow and heal.
Skill-Building for Strong Futures
Skill-building is also a cornerstone of Kid’s Net. Each month, the program offers 8–10 live trainings covering topics from trauma-informed care and infant safety to navigating school IEP processes — tools that become especially important as children transition between home and school environments.
Over the past year, Kids Net delivered 92 trainings to more than 2,000 foster parents, helping families gain the tools to support resilience, healthy development, and learning.
“We’re constantly recruiting new trainers, setting up sessions, and making sure the topics are relevant,” explained Eric, who manages the statewide training calendar. “It’s a broad spectrum — everything from water safety to handwriting support.”
Anticipating Challenges and Removing Barriers
Sometimes, Kid’s Net responds directly to new requirements from DCF, such as the recent CPR and First Aid certification mandate for all foster households. The program developed a statewide training network and covered participation costs, removing both geographic and financial barriers.
“It’s one more way we remove obstacles so families can focus on the kids,” Lisa said.
Creating Joy Along the Way
While some Kid’s Net programs meet immediate practical needs, others bring moments of joy that strengthen family connections. One standout example was a last-minute offer of free circus tickets that turned into one of the year’s most popular events.
“I didn’t think there’d be much interest, but within minutes I was flooded with requests,” Kelley recalled. “We went from offering 50 tickets to more than 250. Families were so excited — the kids couldn’t wait. It was a great success and fantastic experience for everyone involved.”
The Human Connection
At the heart of Kid’s Net’s success are the Family Resource Liaisons (FRLs), who serve as a bridge between caregivers and DCF. They help navigate school systems, connect families to resources, and offer a listening ear when things get tough.
In the past year, foster parents reached out to FRLs more than 2,500 times for guidance and support. The after-hours helpline fielded 118 calls, often turning middle-of-the-night crisis moments into conversations that preserved placements.
“More often than not, the child stays,” Kelley said. “Sometimes parents just need to be heard. That’s a success in itself.”
From backpacks to babysitting reimbursements, CPR classes to crisis coaching, support groups to statewide trainings, Kids Net helps foster parents create the stable, nurturing foundation every child deserves to reach their full potential. With 310 support groups hosted for more than 1,000 attendees, the program continues to ensure caregivers are never alone — during back-to-school season and throughout children’s journey to adulthood.
