The Enhancements & Basic Needs program was originally established in 1989 as the initial pilot program of Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center, and has been run consistently for the entire history of the organization through today. The goal of the program is to provide financial support to children experiencing qualifying circumstances in order to put them on an more equal footing with peers who have not experienced those qualifying circumstances. The program provides for essentials such as clothing or toiletries, as well as non-essential enhancements such as athletic fees, paying for uniforms, paying for school excursions, providing laptop computers to youth preparing for college, etc.

​

The primary funding for the Enhancements and Basic Needs program emphasizes serving children in the foster care system, or children who have been victims of abuse or neglect as well as children who are at risk of abuse or neglect. Other qualifying circumstances include homelessness, low income, over-representation in the criminal justice system, having an incarcerated parent, and others. If you are a community professional or the parent of a youth you think may qualify but have questions, please feel free to reach out to us for guidance.

​

Most requests to the Enhancements and Basic Needs program come through community professionals, however parents and foster parents are also welcome to submit a request to the program for consideration. If you would like to do so, please click on the link below to complete the online form.