LJWorld.com

The newly formed Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation wants to ease foster children's stress and sense of dislocation.

A new local group aims to make life a little easier for foster children from Douglas County by providing some of the things that youngsters in less-trying circumstances are able to take for granted.

Children taken into state custody typically are thrust into strange surroundings on short notice, sometimes with little more than the clothes on their backs.

The newly formed Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation aims to ease the children's stress and sense of dislocation, said Elenor Crangle of Lawrence, the group's president.

"What we are trying to provide are things that will build self-esteem and help normalize their situations," she said. "There are things the state doesn't pay for, never has paid for, and which private (foster care) contractors don't pay for that make kids stand out even farther from their peers."

Among the things often unavailable to foster children, unless foster parents pay from their own pockets, are: school band trips; lessons for art, music or dance; bicycles; uniforms; and other special gear.

"Uniforms and fees for things like cheerleading or team sports can be huge, and that's something we want to address," Crangle said.

The new group, formed by more than a dozen area child-welfare professionals, is now raising money so it can respond to aid applications it has been circulating at local social service agencies.

Foster children from Douglas County, even those relocated by the system to other counties, will be eligible for aid, Crangle said.

The group is recruiting dues-paying members. Individual and corporate memberships are available for $10, $25, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000.

At least nine of the foundation's 16 board members are employees of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, the state welfare agency, including Debi Hatfield. Crangle credits Hatfield for initiating the group.

Also on the board are Julie Ohse, a social worker for Lawrence public schools, and Shea Logan and Gina Mier-Hummel of Kaw Valley Center, the regional foster care contractor for the state.

A spokesman for the SRS central office in Topeka applauded the local effort.

"There's room for as many people who want to get involved in these kinds of efforts," said John Garlinger, "whether it is recruiting foster parents, or a group like this trying to make life a little bit easier and a little more normal for foster kids. We're always pleased when people in communities are willing to stand up and take some responsibility for kids in need."

For additional information, call Crangle at 832-3875 or write P.O. Box 141, Lawrence 66044.

-- Mike Shields' phone message number is 832-7144. His e-mail address is mshields@ljworld.com.