The Foster Parent Association of Spokane was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization in 1972. The Association functions with an 14 member executive board and several standing committees.


The Foster Parent Association of Spokane is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that supports foster parents and provides a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children in Eastern Washington. In order to ensure that foster homes remain the best possible alternative for children needing out of family placement, the Foster Parent Association of Spokane strengthens foster families through training and education, publications, networking among foster parents, legislative advocacy, and linkage with local and state parent associations and child welfare organizations.


The Association has provided Foster Parent Support Services to the foster parents of Spokane County for over thirty years. The Association has also provided respite care assistance for the past eight years. The funding of Association projects over the past thirty plus years has come from a variety of sources, including public and private donations, grants and state contracts.


In 2001 & 2002, the program was funded through a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The grant award is made pursuant to the legislative authority of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended. The grant award amount is for $1,773,000.00 and is to be expended by September 30, 2003.

Program dollars were to be used as the fund of last resort. Program funds were not be used to replace existing State and Federal funds or existing programs. Foster Parent Support Program funds wwere be used to enhance existing services or support new services that were a benefit to participating foster families and the children in their care.

As of January 1, 2004, FPSP is contracted with the Department of Children and Family Services to provide essentially the same services in Spokane and Pend Oreille counties.