COSA is a Collaborative Team of State Resource Parent Associations
Providing Mutual Support, Networking, and Legislative Guidance Become an AffiliateFind Your State AffiliateAbout the Council – What is CoSA?
Welcome to the National Foster Parent Association’s Council of State Affiliates… ‘COSA’ for short!
Our purpose is to offer assistance and guidance for State-level organizations that are dedicated to providing support to Foster, Kinship and Adoptive parents.
What We Do
Networking
We meet regularly to share how other States offer support out-of-home caregivers, discuss particular challenges being faced by the member States, and offer wisdom and guidance to one another.
We serve as a connection between Foster, Adoptive and Kinship parents and their State Associations.
Education
CoSA serves as a clearinghouse for Best Practices and resources for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship care support, nation-wide and at the state and local levels.
CoSA offers State Affiliates a place to share their educational videos within NFPA’s Training Institute, making their resources available within their state and nation-wide.
Advocacy
We send regular communication to our Affiliates about legislative developments that have an impact on caregivers.
We inform State Affiliates and NFPA members of the status of important child welfare issues and policy changes.
The Benefits
Our interaction allows our Affiliates to be more educated about options and alternatives that might be introduced in their States.
For example:
- What benefits are offered in other states?
- What are the rules in place for the foster or adoptive homes in other states?
- What education and supports are available?
This open discussion creates opportunities to understand what’s possible, and to advocate for new or improved laws and supports in the Affiliate’s home state.
The Results
We create and suggest strategies for presenting our needs to the local and national legislative bodies that can make a difference for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship parents.
We believe there is strength and support in numbers! By working together, the Affiliates are better educated about what’s happening in other states, and are better equipped to advocate for the rights of parents in their home state.
Follow HR 3058, Recruiting Families Using Data Act.
NFPA has been instrumental in helping move this bill forward, making ongoing Congressional connections with legislators and staffers, and with our Capitol Hill Day during our NFPA Fall Meeting. Twenty of NFPA’s CoSA members met with 12 Congressional leaders and staffers and participated in a high-level impact briefing with staffers from the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the complexities of foster parenting and needed support. The dialogue at this meeting between NFPA CoSA members and congressional leaders and staff helped move the bill forward for review.
NFPA Advocacy Position Statement and Advocacy Priorities
We are pleased to announce and provide, for your use, NFPA’s new Advocacy Priorities and Position Statement to be used to guide us through this year. NFPA will continue to update these statements on a regular basis.
Click the image to see the complete statement.
Our Partners Say…
Our Leadership
Dr. Amanda Cruce
Chair
Florida FAPA
Tammy Wells
Secretary
Nebraska Foster & Adoptive Parent Association
Join the Council – Become an Affiliate
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Meet Our Affiliates
The National Foster Parent Association’s Council of State of Affiliates are made up of state foster parent associations from around the United States. Council members advocate for needed changes and helps to provide better support to families who are involved with the child welfare system.
West Virginia Fostering Together
The purpose of the WV Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents Network is to support the building of a statewide network of foster, adoptive, and kinship families from all agencies for advocacy and support. We want families to work together and advocate and have our...
Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families
The Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families (CAFAF) makes a difference in the lives of foster, adoptive and relative caregivers by providing support, training, and advocacy. The Alliance works in partnership with child welfare professionals and the entire...
Ohio Family Care Association
Families with children who have been in the custody of child welfare or juvenile justice systems too often feel disconnected from each other and from the agencies with which they are affiliated. These disconnects can result in caring people who may feel alone as they...
Delaware Foster Parent Association
Foster Change Nevada
MSPCC/Eliot
Tennessee Foster Adoptive Care Association
California Alliance of Caregivers
Texas Foster Family Association
The Texas Foster Care Association was formed in the 1970s as Texas State Foster Parents, Inc. We currently do business as Texas Foster Care Association (TFCA) to better reflect that we serve and support the entire family unit and not only the foster parents. In the...
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York
In Our Shoes, Inc.
Foster Care and Adoption Association of Oklahoma
Florida FAPA
A Florida where children thrive because their foster and adoptive parents are fully empowered and recognized as expert partners in developing healthy families. Mission To support, educate, and advocate on behalf of foster and adoptive families. Contact 305-213-6627,...
Maryland Resource Parent Association
Members of the MFPA participate on state and local Social Service work groups, advisory boards, commissions and councils. As informed resource parents and team members, the MFPA members share their years of experience to provide their input and guidance in areas such...
Foster Parents Association of Washington State
The Foster Parents Association of Washington State (FPAWS) is a non-profit corporation chartered in 1973 providing support and services to foster families throughout the State of Washington. Our Association has evolved over the years to develop direct support for...
Illinois Foster Adoptive Parent Association
Mission To support foster parents in achieving safety, permanence, and well-being for the children and youth in their care.Illinois Foster Adoptive Parent Association was organize to provide support and education to foster and adoptive parents. By advocating for...
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West Virginia Fostering Together
The purpose of the WV Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents Network is to support the building of a statewide network of foster, adoptive, and kinship families from all agencies for advocacy and support. We want families to work together and advocate and have our...
Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families
The Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families (CAFAF) makes a difference in the lives of foster, adoptive and relative caregivers by providing support, training, and advocacy. The Alliance works in partnership with child welfare professionals and the entire...
Ohio Family Care Association
Families with children who have been in the custody of child welfare or juvenile justice systems too often feel disconnected from each other and from the agencies with which they are affiliated. These disconnects can result in caring people who may feel alone as they...
CoSA Resources
Legislative Guidance, Supporting CoSA, and More!
Click each image to view or download the complete file.
