FOCUS on Foster Families

FOCUS on Foster Families is a mobile app designed to help support foster youth and their caregivers as they navigate common challenges. The app includes an extensive library of video interviews with foster youth and caregivers sharing what has been helpful for them, and experts providing guidance on how best to navigate the legal, school, and child welfare systems. These videos and resources answer questions like: What does it feel like to come into a new home? What are Foster youth looking for from their caregivers? How do I prepare kids for a visit with their birth parent? ... and many more!

This app also offers interactive games and links to specialized services and resources.

Bear Necessities

Buddy is frustrated because his ball got stuck in a tree. Help him by moving branches on the screen to guide the ball back into your Cozy Cavern. You can collect yummy cherries along the way too! After each level, you can help decorate the Cozy Cavern with all the tools you’ve collected. These things help Buddy feel better when he’s stressed out. Now he has his ball back and really feels at home!

Comic Creator

Do you have a story you want to share with your family and friends?

Make a comic strip to say exactly what’s on your mind. Choose bear graphics and speech bubbles to make your story come to life. You can even customize your own speech bubble to say exactly what's on your mind. Then share your comic with family and friends through email or Facebook.

Feeling Finder

Buddy is looking for new words to use when talking about his feelings. In this feelings word search, swipe your finger across the letters to make feeling words. Words are hidden backwards, forwards, diagonally and bent around corners. Once you find a feeling word, drag it to its corresponding color zones on your Feeling Thermometer. Green feelings are the ones that feel really comfortable, while red feelings are the ones that feel really uncomfortable.

Bear Chill

Buddy needs your help to relax! Move Buddy back and forth across the bottom of the screen to catch bubbles with tools to help Buddy cool down. The more tools you collect, the closer Buddy gets to his green zone on the Feeling Thermometer. But look out for the chili peppers! They make Buddy's temperature rise closer towards the red zone. Your goal is to keep Buddy feeling comfortable in the green zone.

FOCUS on Foster Families supports the FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) family resilience training model.

To learn more about ways to build a stronger family using FOCUS on Foster Families, visit http://nfrc.ucla.edu/focus-on-foster-families.