Foster family day in the Wartburg district: Play, space to experience!

Foster family day in the Wartburg district: Play, space to experience!

The second foster family day took place on October 25, 2025 in the Hämbach district of Bad Salzung in brilliant weather, organized by the foster children's service of the Wartburgkreis district office and the “Loft Werratal” family center. Under the motto “Games, fun and relaxation”, around 70 foster parents and their foster and biological children gathered to enjoy an informal day full of activities and encounters. The aim of this event was to bring the foster families together in a harmonious setting and to promote exchange between families and the foster child service.

Finally, contact and communication is very important for foster families. There are currently around 140 children living in foster families in the Wartburg district. The foster child service therefore offers comprehensive information and advice to strengthen parenthood and provide support. If you would like to know more, you can contact us by phone at 03695/617120 or by email at pflegekinderdienst@wartburgkreis.de.

A colorful program for young and old

The event featured a wealth of activities for children. Here the little visitors could run around, climb, slide or play ball games. Things were exciting on bobby cars and scooters, and anyone who needed a moment of peace and quiet could let off steam at creative stations where necklaces, bracelets and wind chimes were made. Planting flower pots and making “bath bombs” also provided creative moments. The crowning conclusion was a joint treasure hunt, which was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Anne-Christin Krug and her team took care of everyone's physical well-being. The food was varied: hot and cold drinks, sweets, ice cream, popcorn, fresh fruit, vegetables and bratwurst ensured that no one had to go home with an empty stomach.

Important innovations for foster families

The legal framework for foster families has also changed with the entry into force of the Child and Youth Strengthening Act (KJSG) in summer 2021. This law aims to strengthen the positions of foster children and foster parents. What is new, among other things, is the obligation to develop protection concepts that are intended to protect against child endangerment and violence. Attention to sibling relationships is now increasingly being taken into account in order to preserve the children's emotional bonds.

Foster parents also have the right to comprehensive advice from the youth welfare office on educational, legal and organizational issues. Particularly when it comes to planning help, parents, foster parents and the youth welfare office strive for a joint approach. In recent years, a decisive improvement has also been achieved for foster children: since January 2023, they have been allowed to keep all of their training allowances and income from student jobs.

Support for foster children in the transition to adulthood is also guaranteed, so that care leavers receive the support they need to start becoming independent.

Foster Family Day was a further step towards strengthening the foster family community and honoring the valuable work of foster parents.