My Favorites

WATERBURY, Conn. (May 9, 2024) – This month, as part of National Foster Care Month, Brooklyn Baking Company, 464 Reidville Drive, Waterbury, is selling a special version of its well-loved donut decorated in blue to mark the observance. Information about becoming a Wheeler foster parent for children and youth in Waterbury and surrounding towns will be available as well.

National Foster Care Month is an annual observance to recognize and support children, teens, and families in the foster care system. Wheeler’s Foster Care team serves families in Waterbury and eight surrounding towns to provide youth, ages 6 to 17, with stable, safe, caring environments.

Wheeler’s Foster Care program uses the evidence-based Functional Therapy Foster Care Model (FFT Partners) which helps individuals in foster care and their families develop skills for lifelong success by providing weekly in-home family therapy for 6-12 months, depending on the needs of each family. The goal is to create stability for the youth while developing a long-term plan, whether that be returning home, or moving to another permanent option.

A dedicated team of professionals provides weekly in-home sessions, as well as 24/7 on-call coverage. Support groups, ongoing training, and coordination of services also are provided.

Wheeler’s Foster Care program serves families in: Beacon Falls, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Waterbury, Wolcott, and Woodbury. There is a great need for new foster homes in this region to help local children, particularly teenagers.

Studies show that teens who age out of foster care or who do not have more permanent, loving attachments are at increased risk for homelessness, young parenthood, low educational attainment, high unemployment rates, human trafficking, and other adverse adult outcomes.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent through Wheeler, contact Wheeler’s Recruitment team at 860.793.7277, or email fostercareprograms@wheelerclinic.org or visit: WheelerHealth.org/Foster.