Foster and Adoptive Family Services
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Fostering Wishes For Children
Application
Eligibility Requirements: Wishes are granted to children who are in the custody of the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and are under the age of 18, or are over the age of 18 and still enrolled in high school.

Please complete the form below.

Only completed applications will be considered.

All awards are contingent on availability of funds. No award will exceed $75 or one award per foster child per calendar year.

Fostering Wishes For Children awards are distributed until released funding is expended. approved awards will be mailed out ASAP. A minimum of 8 weeks is required to process the application and checks. If your application is denied, you will receive notification by mail or phone. If you do not receive an award, please feel free to submist another application when funding is released again next year. The items listed below qualify for funding, so long as funding is avialable and the request is not being met through Flexible Funding or other programs. FAFS' Executive Committee will review applications submitted for activities/items not listed.
Qualifying activities/items for a Fostering Wishes Award
  • Rental or purchase of equipment or supplies for special training/insturction, e.g., musical instruments, art supplies (unless cost is assumed by the schoool) Specialized training or instruction based upon exceptional ability, skill, or interest demonstrated by the child, e.g., music, art, computer science (unless cost is assumed by the school)
  • Registration and/or uniform and equipment expenses for organized youth organizations such as Little League and other sports, Girl and Boy Scouts, 4H and other local recreational programs (unless funds are available through DYFS) * Private, public, and parochial school uniforms are NOT covered
  • Class trips, field trips (unless cost is assumed by the school)
  • Graduation/senior class expenses, e.g., Yearbook, class ring, prom tickets **
  • School Pictures; metal eyeglass frames or contact lens not covered by medicaid
*A DYFS Special clothing Check may be issued from the DO Bank Account for the purchase of "required uniforms when a child in placement belongs to an organized youth organizatin, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League, etc. (see DYFS Administrative Policy and Procedures Manual, 421 Special Clothing Check)

**Clothing expenses related to "specific clothing for a childin placement for religious or educational ceremonies that is not part of the child's wardrobe "1 are available from DYFS through special cothing checks. This is generally interpreted to include expenses related to a graduation outfit/caps and gowns.

Click below to print the Fostering Wishes Application. All questions on the application must be completed or the application will not be processed. Once completed, mail it to: FAFS, Fostering Wishes, PO Box 518, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852.
 Print the Fostering Wishes Application Here!