A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As I look back on 2010, the accomplishments that the National Association of Foster Grandparent Program Directors (NAFGPD) achieved on behalf of  Foster Grandparent Programs across the Nation, is nothing short of remarkable considering the tough political climate that we had to work through and it being an election year.

 NAFGPD set three top priorities for growth, they were: 

NATIONAL AWARENESS & STIPEND INCREASE & MEMBERSHIP

National Awareness Accomplishments - Board members made hundreds of in-person visits to educate Congressional leaders in Washington, DC while hundreds of project directors, supporters and volunteers were encouraged to "share their stories" as well.  We hosted several 45^th Anniversary Celebrations, a Congressional Reception in DC and in New York City at the National Conference, another celebration took place.  Designed and provided excellent quality and affordable Anniversary Recognition items for this milestone.  Friends of FGP funded, produced and distributed a FGP DVD for all program directors across the nation.  Sponsored the first ever National FGP Volunteer Training Conference in Chicago, IL and held a National Foster Grandparent and Child Art Contest and awarded monetary prizes.  Finally after many years of advocacy efforts with CNCS leaders, we achieved their support of the first annual Senior Corps Week in September. 

Achieved a Recommended Funding Increase -  through our advocacy efforts, the House supported a .10 cent and the Senate a .20 cent per hour stipend increase in the 2011 appropriations.  It was unfortunate that the bills were never passed due to political posturing.  However, we rallied against a 40% cut proposed by the Administration and were granted a modest  administrative cost increase in 2010 appropriation funds.

Grew Supporters Membership Ten-fold - We kicked off Friends of Foster Grandparents, a human resource organization whose purpose is to increase partnerships and public awareness.  We also invited foster grandparents' to become an integral part of NAFGPD's advocacy efforts at the Chicago Volunteer Conference,  participants were very enthusiastic to step-up and support our mission.

In addition - We completed a stellar third and final year of managing the Peer to Peer Mentoring Project that provided technical support and other resources for new project directors...We kicked off the plans for the MLK Day of Service effort supporting the Help Us Learn, Give Us Hope campaign to collect school supplies for war torn countries that are distributed by American soldiers to local children that resulted in thousands of dollars of school supplies donated to U.S. military humanitarian efforts.  Continued partnership with MENTOR Care Givers Choice to mentor children with incarcerated parents. 

As we look to the future in 2011, I look forward to working on the following priorities set by the Board of Directors which are: 

1.) Updating Regulations such as the 80/20 Rule...

2.) Supporting National Impact Performances that are relevant to FGP...

3.) Achieve appropriations and additional funding opportunities for programs during this difficult economic downturn... 

As 2011 will be the final year of my second term as President of NAFGPD, I would like to thank you for lending your support and sharing your kind words of appreciation over the years...they will not be forgotten.    

Warmest regards,

Sherry

Sherry Black, NAFGPD President

NAFGPD

EXPERIENCED...FOCUSED...SUCCESSFUL