You Are Not Alone
An Empowering Guide for Parents Whose Children Are in DCF Foster Care
Parents Helping Parents offers You Are Not Alone: An Empowering Guide for Parents Whose Children Are in DCF Foster Care — a guide written by parents, for parents. Originally created by Massachusetts parents whose children were in foster care, this newly updated edition reflects today’s DCF system while preserving the voice and wisdom of parents who have lived through it.
This guide provides the information parents need to advocate for themselves and their children throughout the foster care process. It offers practical advice, clear explanations, and words of encouragement from parents who understand how difficult this journey can be.
The English guide is available as a free downloadable PDF.
Spanish and Portuguese editions are coming soon.
What Parents Are Saying...
-
"You’ll never forget the day it happened. You’ll have endless nights not knowing where your child is. The trauma takes so long to leave and then it comes back when you least expect it."
-
“Think ahead. If you plan for what you can do next to help your case, you’ll make quicker progress and hopefully get your children back home sooner.
-
“I had no idea what to say to people other than that I wanted my kids home with me.”
For Professionals
Professionals working in behavioral health, pediatrics, child protection, probation, and legal services regularly refer parents to our programs. Parents Helping Parents strengthens Protective Factors—such as social connections and parental resilience—that are proven to reduce family stress and violence at home.
We encourage you to share information about our Parent Support Groups and 24-hour Parent Stress Line with parents and caregivers. Printable and digital outreach materials, including flyers and resource links, are available for download at no cost.