THE VOICE OF CHOICE: RESOURCE PARENTS' SUPPORT GROUP

The Voice of Choice is the dynamic and fast growing Resource Parent’s Support Group representing all the families of The Children’s Choice. This group evolved from a Parent’s Advisory Board that was started at the invitation of Dr.s Bill and Carolyn Eberwein almost 10 years ago with a mandate to give Resource Parents a voice at the corporate level.

Today we are excited to be serving over 600 families in PA, MD, DE, NJ, and DC.

The VOC Board is comprised of elected representatives and alternates who meet at International Plaza bi-monthly. Our bi-monthly meetings are open to all Resource Parents and staff are also invited to attend at anytime. Dr. Bill and Dr.Carolyn regularly attend these meetings and act in an advisory capacity to the Board. The Board membership is a cross section of Resource Parents and includes kinship, foster and adoptive families. One of the most important functions at a VOC meeting is the Representatives Forum, in which reps can exchange questions, concerns and ideas. Following are just a few of the many ongoing programs and activities of the VOC:

THE VOC Scholarships: Scholarships are available to ANY child of a Resource family for ANY post high school education. Scholarship applications are available through your VOC Rep and are awarded in the Spring.

Download a scholarship application

Special Fund Endowments: The VOC regularly earmarks money for the “Special Funds” needs in each office. These funds help to defray expenses for exceptional needs of children in care that are not covered in the regular stipend. (prescription glasses, prom etc)

Santa’s Workshop: The VOC funds Santa’s Workshops for each office so that children can enjoy purchasing small gifts for their families.

Board of Directors The sitting VOC President is appointed a seat on the Agency’s Board of Directors as a voting member.

Abuse Allegations Training: The VOC has produced a video to help educate families about the process of abuse allegations. VOC reps are available as a support resource for families who may be going through this difficult experience.

Conference Attendance The VOC of Choice actively attends State, National and International Conferences to network and exchange ideas with our peers. This year we had a contingent of parents at the National Conference in Washington DC, We are preparing for upcoming conferences in Grantville PA and Atlanta GA. VOC members have also presented at International Conferences in the Czech Republic, Finland and the Netherlands.

There are many more things than we can list here, so we invite you to talk to your local rep, or come out to a meeting and join us to learn more! Upcoming meeting dates can be obtained through your VOC Rep or Program Coordinator.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Regina Fike
President;
Voice of Choice; Resource Parent’s Support Group