Aging: Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a great way for older adults to give back to their community. Foster grandparents help kids with special needs. They serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers.

We have almost 500 foster grandparents in Wisconsin. We’re always looking for others. Learn more and see if this program is right for you.

What foster grandparents do

Older adult and teen laughing while watching a laptop

Foster grandparents give five to 40 hours each week of volunteer service. They work through community groups, such as:

  • Schools.
  • Hospitals.
  • Child care centers.
  • Head Start programs.
  • Residential programs.

Foster grandparents help improve the lives of children. They also benefit from having a strong purpose in their community. Many volunteers report finding friends, learning, and feeling satisfied.

What foster grandparents get

Foster grandparents get:

  • A small, tax-free stipend.
  • Repayment for any of these expenses they have while on duty:
    • Accident and liability insurance
    • Careful orientation training to help serve kids with special needs
    • Meals
  • Physical exam each year
  • Refresher training at in-service group meetings each month
  • Transportation

Who can be a foster grandparent

Foster grandparents must:

  • Be at least 55 years old.
  • Meet certain income standards.

Program sponsors

Agencies in Wisconsin sponsor foster grandparent projects. Find the one in your county. Contact them to sign up:

  • Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County
    Julie Rekowski, FGP Director
    715-346-1417
    rekowskij@co.portage.wi.us
    Counties: Portage
  • ADVOCAP
    Brian Jacobson, Volunteer Services Director
    920-426-0150
    brian.jacobson@advocap.org
    Counties: Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Winnebago
  • Cooperative Educational Service Agency #10
    Mary Byrns, FGP Director
    715-720-2041
    jsturgis@cesa10.k12.wi.us
    Counties: Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Monroe, Rush, Taylor, and Trempealeau
  • Encompass: Leaders in Early Education Care
    Deb Johnson, FGP Director
    920-785-9710
    djohnson@encompasswi.org
    Areas: Cities of Green Bay, De Pere, and Pulaski in Brown County
  • FGP of Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
    Kate Paine, Director of Social Services
    715-394-5384
    kpaine@ccbsuperior.org
  • Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services Inc.
    Jeromy Moore, FGP Director
    262-287-7295
    jmoore@kafasi.org
    Counties: Racine and Kenosha
  • Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council
    Jessica Polencheck, FGP Director
    715-588-1063
    jpolencheck@glitc.org 
    Serves: All Wisconsin tribe members. Includes Milwaukee urban Indian population and a tribe in Michigan—Lac Vieux Desert.
  • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County
    Diana Jost, Executive Director
    608-441-7894
    djost@rsvpdane.org
    Areas: City of Madison and Dane County
  • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Rock County
    Laura Anastasi, Intergenerational and Foster Grandparent Program Director
    608-362-9593
    lanastasi@rsvp-rock.org
    Counties: Rock
  • Workforce Connections
    Amy Larson, Foster Grandparent Director
    608-317-9133
    larsona@workforceconnections.org
    Areas: City of and Great La Crosse Area and La Crosse, Pepin, Buffalo, Jackson, and Juneau counties

Questions? Contact Laura Langer at Laura.Langer@dhs.wisconsin.gov or at 608-422-1127

Glossary

 
Last revised August 23, 2024