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
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 (opens external email)
Counties: Portage - ADVOCAP
Brian Jacobson, Volunteer Services Director
920-426-0150
brian.jacobson@advocap.org (opens external email)
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 (opens external email)
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 (opens external email)
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 (opens external email)
- Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services Inc.
Jeromy Moore, FGP Director
262-287-7295
jmoore@kafasi.org (opens external email)
Counties: Racine and Kenosha - Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council
Jessica Polencheck, FGP Director
715-588-1063
jpolencheck@glitc.org (opens external email)
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 (opens external email)
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 (opens external email)
Counties: Rock - Workforce Connections
Amy Larson, Foster Grandparent Director
608-317-9133larsona@workforceconnections.org (opens external email)
Areas: City of and Great La Crosse Area and La Crosse, Pepin, Buffalo, Jackson, and Juneau counties
Questions? Contact Laura Langer at