Foster Grandparent Program Information

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) was established in August 1965 to provide older adults with a useful way to serve their communities in the retirement years, and to give them the satisfaction that comes from being needed and serving others.   The program also provides a source of individual attention and personalized care to children with special needs, to help these children grow physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.

One of three programs that make up the "Senior Corps," the Foster Grandparent Program is administered and funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).   This federal volunteer agency organizes its' programs into three streams of service: National Senior Service Corps, Learn and Serve America, and Americorps.

In January 2002, President Bush called for the creation of the "Freedom Corps" to enlist Americans in public service at home and abroad.   Initially, three service efforts will make up the Freedom Corps.   The newly created Citizen Corps,   Americorps and Senior Corps  (joint partnerships within the CNCS), and the Peace Corps.

Partnership Information

An FGP volunteer station is a public agency, private non-profit organization, or proprietary health-care agency or organization that accepts the responsibility for assignment and supervision of Foster Grandparents in health, education, welfare, or related settings.

The types of agencies or organizations serving children which may be volunteer stations, include but are not limited to: Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, Teen Pregnancy Programs, Mental Health Facilities, Shelters, Head Start Centers, Juvenile Corrections Programs, Hospices, Developmental Disability Centers, Rehabilitation Centers, Home Health Care Providers, Day Care Centers, Before/After School Programs, Educational Pre-Schools, Public/Private Schools, Courts.

Foster Grandparents must be 55 years of age or older and have an interest in working with children.   In order to receive a stipend and transportation reimbursement, individuals must meet income eligibility guidelines.   Up to 50% of out of pocket medical expenses may be deducted from total income to determine eligibility.

Annual Income for Family Units of:

For family units with more than four members, add $7480 for each additional member.

Benefits

• A $2.65 hourly stipend. By federal law the stipend is not subject to tax or garnishment. It also does not reduce or eliminate the level of, or eligibility for, assistance or services a Foster Grandparent may be receiving under any governmental program, including: unemployment insurance, worker's compensation; temporary disability, retirement, public assistance or similar benefit payments or minimum wage laws.
• On-the-job excess accident, liability and auto liability insurance
• Mileage reimbursement or transportation assistance
• Daily meal provided by volunteer station, when possible
• Accrued paid vacation and sick leave
• Annual physical examination
• Recognition
• Pre-service training plus ongoing monthly training at in-service meetings

Duties

• Volunteering 15-40 hours a week
• Spending one-on-one time with children in a supervised setting

Areas Served

Counties served by the FGP of the Concho Valley include: Coke, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Kimble, Mason, Menard, McCulloch, Reagan, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton and Tom Green.

Communities served by the FGP of the Concho Valley include: Ballinger, Eden, Paint Rock, Bronte, Robert Lee, Ozona, Mertzon, Junction, Mason, Menard, Brady, Big Lake, Eldorado, Sterling City, Sonora, Carlsbad and San Angelo.

Current Volunteer Sites

Q. Will the stipend affect my status for low-income housing/SSI/Social Security?
A. No.   FGP is a federally funded program designed to help seniors who are assisting their community by nurturing special needs children.

Q. Where will I be placed?
A. Sites are chosen by the following criteria.

• Proximity to Foster Grandparent's home/transportation issues.
• Age/type of needs children the Foster Grandparent would like to serve.
• Languages spoken by the Foster Grandparent/children.
• Educational background of Foster Grandparent.
• Where there is a placement need.

Q. What are the hours of service?
A. Service hours are defined by site need (i.e., schools generally include morning hours; community centers in the afternoon.)

Q. Must I have an education to participate in the program?
A. No.   There are no educational requirements to participate in the program.

Q. Am I too old to participate in the program?
A. No.   The only age requirement is that you must be at least 60 years old.

If you are interested in applying to be a Foster Grandparent, please download and complete the FGP Application and the Income Review Form by selecting from the following links:

FGP Application in Microsoft Word format (.doc file)

FGP Application in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf file)

Income Review Form in Microsoft Word format (.doc file)

Income Review Form in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf file)

Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free by clicking on the following icon:

Please submit your completed application via mail or in person to the following location.   Optionally, completed applications may be sent via email to address indicated below:

Foster Grandparent Program
P.O. Box 60050
2801 W. Loop 306, Suite A
San Angelo, Texas 76906
(325) 223-5704 or toll free (877) 944-9666

lindsey@cvcog.org