Foster Grandparent Program

SWCAP Foster Grandparents:

  • Are adults, age 55 and over, that mentor and tutor school age children, helping them learn, grow and succeed.

  • Get tax-free compensation in return for their mentoring and tutoring.

  • Are important contributors to the future of the communities where they live.

  • Make a difference in the lives of children.

foster-grandparents

Volunteer to be a Foster Grandparent and you get:

  • A tax-exempt, hourly stipend – not wages – that does not affect your household income, or other benefits that you may be receiving.

  • Meal and mileage allowance.

  • Supplemental accident and liability insurance for the times when you’re on-duty as a Foster Grandparent.

  • Paid time for pre-service training and monthly in-service training.

  • Paid holidays.

  • The chance to socialize with like-minded adults.

  • The chance to have fun with school-aged kids.

  • The satisfaction of making a difference in your community.

When you volunteer to become a Foster Grandparent, you are becoming a part of AmeriCorps Senior.  AmeriCorps Senior is a program of the US government that started with “War on Poverty” legislation in the 1960s under then-President Lyndon Johnson.  When you volunteer to become a SWCAP Foster Grandparent, you are joining a national effort.  SWCAP is proud to be a part of the ongoing effort to engage people to improve the social and economic conditions of the communities where they live.

To be a Foster Grandparent:

  • You need to be age 55 or older.

  • Certain income eligibility guidelines may apply. 

  • You’ll need to agree to a background check by the national office.  It sounds worse than it is.

  • And you need to be willing to contribute at least 260 hours per year to mentoring and tutoring school-aged children in your community.  That’s a little over 21 hours per month, or about 5 ½ hours a week.

  • Foster Grandparents volunteer at approved community locations, such as Schools, non-for-profit child care agencies, and other programs serving youth.  Foster Grandparents do not tutor children in the child’s home or in the Foster Grandparent’s home.

SWCAP supports Foster Grandparents in Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties in Wisconsin.

Contact Information

Foster Grandparent Program

Start your rewarding career as a Foster Grandparent, contact:
FosterGrandparents@swcap.org or call 800-704-8555 or 608-935-2326.