The Foster Parents Coalition of the NWT was established in June of last year. The interim board met in Fort Simpson over the weekend to further its initiatives and discuss finances and upcoming elections for an executive.

A predominant issue is the need for training and a support network for foster parents.

Anne Kennedy, interim executive director for the coalition, said a high percentage of children in foster care are afflicted with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

FASD encompasses all symptoms associated with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

Those who are caring for such children would benefit from strategies and tips on how to address the brain disorder, she said.

The coalition set up a toll-free "warm line" in December, Kennedy noted. They avoided the more common term, "hot line," which is often associated with a crisis situation.

The warm line, operating weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., allows foster families to call with questions and ask for advice.

The organization also has its own newsletter for the approximately 150 foster families across the NWT.

Although a Foster Family Association had existed in Yellowknife, there was still a need to expand support services to the rest of the NWT, according to Kennedy.

Therefore the coalition was created. Funded by the Department of Health and Social Services, the group's first annual general meeting is scheduled for May 2-3 in Yellowknife.

Gerda Hazenberg, interim president and a Fort Simpson resident, also championed the cause.

"I saw the need for training. I saw some struggling foster parents. I saw some children going from home to home," she said. "We all need to be more aware of foster families in our communities and the need for foster families."