The Boulder-Broomfield Foster/Adoptive Family Association (BBFFA) (formerly the Boulder County Foster Parent Association) was created in 1975 by a group of foster parents to support foster and adoptive families in Boulder and Broomfield County, Colorado (mission statement). Upon the creation of the County of Broomfield, the BBFFA board voted to include families in Broomfield County in its support area. In early 2005, in recognition of the ongoing support and educational needs of families, the BBFFA voted to include families who have adopted children through Boulder and Broomfield Counties (Department of Social Services) as members. It is the only nonprofit in Broomfield and Boulder Counties dedicated to meeting the needs of foster/adoptive families and foster children. BBFFA is a volunteer organization; all funding directly benefits foster/adoptive families and their children.
Membership to BBFFA is open to all families who have been certified through their County Department of Social Services. These families are considered reimbursed volunteers as opposed to foster families who are certified by Child Placement Agencies and are paid to provide care. Children coming into foster care come with deep emotional scars, developmental delays, physical disabilities, behavioral issues, and prenatal drug/alcohol exposure as a result of their early abuse and/or neglect. In recent years, the BBFFA has seen an increase in the complexity of the children served through the foster care system at the same time that public funding to meet these children's needs have decreased. Families who foster and adopt these children provide significant financial support.
The BBFFA provides the following supports for families and their children:
(1) Information and Support through direct access to its voluntary board members; all members of the Board are veteran foster/adoptive families. Additionally, a wealth of information and resources are available on the Association's website (bbffa.org). An internet listserv connects foster/adoptive parents to each other in order to support and answer questions 24-hours/day.
(2) The Foster/Adoptive Children Enrichment Fund provides monies to cover activities not covered by the monthly foster care or adoptive stipend. Specifically, funds are provided to cover the costs of summer camp, music instruction, recreational activities, tutoring, sports team uniforms, prom wear, school supplies, specialized equipment, etc.
(3) The Foster Family Household Funds provides monies for specific needs of foster family households, such as state-required items for licensing (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers) or items needed for a new foster child such as child safety locks and car seats.
(4) Food Share provides Boulder County and Broomfield County foster families the opportunity to shop for foster children's food at a local food bank.
(5) Foster/Adoptive family events such as holiday parties, Day at the Bay in Broomfield, evening at the Denver Children's Museum, etc. bring foster/adoptive families and foster/adoptive children together to network with each other and provide educational and social opportunities for foster/adoptive children. All events are free to foster/adoptive families and their children.
(6) Through a listserv and a newsletter, opportunities for training in child development, abuse and trauma issues, and other related topics relevant to foster parenting are disseminated routinely to Boulder and Broomfield Counties foster and adoptive families.
Board members:
Denise Seger – President / Membership Chair / Scholarship Chair
Mila Sbrocca - Treasurer, Children & Family Enrichment Fund Coordinator
Noel Yegian - Secretary
Elizabeth Wise - ArtReach Coordinator
Marjon Pekelharing - Webmaster
Special Events - Cornerstone Church
BBFFA support
2009
Cornerstone Church of Boulder
The Community Foundation of Boulder
IBM
Boulder Jaycees
E. Pomponi / ITW Industrial Finishing
2008
The Community Foundation of Boulder: Build-A-Bear Bear Hugs Foundation
Cornerstone Church of Boulder
2007
Precision Plumbing
The Community Foundation of Boulder
Safeway Corporation
IBM
Celestial Seasonings
2006
US Bank
The Community Foundation of Boulder
The Community Foundation of Boulder: CTF Gift Fund
Safeway Corporation
Boulder County Commissioners
Mountain High
2005
The Community Foundation of Boulder: CTF Gift Fund
Grace B. Ludwig Charitable Trust
Richard and Joan Ringoen Charitable Trust
April Fund
Boulder County Commissioners
2004
Grace B. Ludwig Charitable Trust
Boulder County Commissioners
Richard and Joan Ringoen Foundation
Schwab Fund
2003
Community Foundation, Culture of Giving Initiative
The Kenneth Kendal King Foundation
The Community Foundation
McCarty Charitable Fund of the Longmont Community Foundation
The April Fund
Trinity Lutheran Church
The Sam S. Bloom foundation
Richard and Joan Ringoen Foundation
Ludwig Charitable Trust
Boulder County Commissioners