Program Outline
The children come from tension areas of Belfast, Northern Ireland and adequate host family orientation is vital for a successful visit. A minimum of four area meetings, including a final spring orientation meeting, is required for all hosting families. Families are encouraged to go beyond the minimum requirements and attend meetings each month. Teen families are required to attend an additional meeting on the ICF Teen Program.
The ICF has seven areas located in the greater Chicago area, Northwest Indiana, and Indianapolis. As mixing the children is an essential component of the program, host families are assigned to the area that serves their community. The activities are designed to bring the children together periodically as it helps to settle them into the program as well as the home of their hosting family. An essential requirement for hosting a child is that an adult must be available to give the child 24 hour supervision.
Grass roots fundraising sustains The Irish Children's Fund summer program and the Northern Ireland follow-up phase. Host families are required to participate in established annual area fund raisers, raising a minimum of $650 per Northern Irish child.
After the completed application and necessary references are received at the ICF office, a representative of a licensed child placement agency will call to arrange for a family interview at your convenience. Applications should be returned as soon as possible so the family screening process may be initiated.
The children will visit for one month. They arrive in late June and leave at the end of July. Exact dates will be available in the spring. All children must travel on the prescribed date of the group's return. Adult chaperons from Northern Ireland travel with the children. One chaperon is assigned to each area and will be in frequent contact with the host families and children in that area. Area Coordinators are also available for counseling.
A major goal of the program is the interaction of the children of both communities (Catholic and Protestant) during the summer visit. Educational and recreational events are planned throughout the children's stay and host families are asked to make every effort to have their family and guest child attend these functions. A summer camp is planned and the Irish guest child is expected to attend the weekend camp. Family plans should not conflict with camp.
Vacations are not necessary for the children. If a host family has a planned activity, the child may leave the area with you but this should be first worked out with your Area Coordinator. Time away should not be planned during the first two weeks of the child's stay (homesickness, etc.). Families are required to notify their Area Coordinators of vacation addresses and phone numbers before leaving on a short trip.
The guest children are covered by insurance with an individual deductible. You will be given a medical permission form signed by the child's parents. Many physicians, local hospitals, and medical centers lend their support to the program and treat ICF children at no charge.