Skip to main content

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 (ADRC) of Portage County

Julie Rekowski, FGP Director
 715-346-1401
 rekowskj@co.portage.wi.gov
 www.co.portage.wi.gov/adrc
Service areas: Portage County

ADVOCAP

Lisa Severson
 920-426-0150
 lisa.severson@advocap.org
 www.advocap.org
Service areas: Fond du Lac County, Green Lake County, Winnebago County

Encompass: Leaders in Early Education Care

Deb Johnson, FGP Director
 920-785-9710
 djohnson@encompasswi.org
 www.encompasswi.org/foster-grandparents
Service areas: Brown County, Oconto Falls

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC)

Theresa Rauworth
 715-588-1026
 trauworth@glitc.org
Serving Tribal communities: Lac du Flambeau, Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Red Cliff, Oneida, St. Croix, Sokaogon, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Stockbridge-Munsee, Forest County Potawatomi, Lac Vieux Desert

Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services Inc. (KAFASI)

Jeromy Moore, FGP Director
 262-764-7256
 jmoore@kafasi.org
Service areas: Kenosha County, Milwaukee County, Racine County

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County

Diana Jost, Executive Director
 608-441-1393
 djost@rsvpdane.org
 www.rsvpdane.org
Service areas: Dane County

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Rock County

Laura Anastasi, Intergenerational and Foster Grandparent Program Director
 608-362-9593
 laura@rsvp-rock.org
 rsvp-rock.org
Service areas: Rock County

Workforce Connections

Amy Larson, Foster Grandparent Director
 608-317-9133
 larsona@workforceconnections.org
 workforceconnections.org
Service areas: LaCrosse County, Juneau County, Pepin County, Jackson County, Buffalo County

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

Glossary

 
Last revised June 3, 2026