Procedures for Youth in Foster Care and Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Families
Youth Currently in State Custody (i.e. a child in foster care who is not adopted or in a guardianship placement):
a. Each youth will receive a 90% discount on $100 worth (original value) ii of clothing, jewelry, and accessories during a 6-month period.
b. Prior to the youth’s first visit, the youth must present a [RE]FRESH Approval Formiii signed by the youth’s case manager. This approval form will allow the youth to shop at a 90% discount during a 6-month period up to a $100 limit (original value).
c. In order for the discount (90% discount up to $100 limit, original value) to be reset for another 6-month period, the youth must provide an updated [RE]FRESH Approval Form signed by the youth’s case manager. iv
Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Families:
a. Each family will receive a 30% discount on $100 worth (original value)v of clothing, jewelry, and accessories during a 6-month period.vi
b. To utilize the 30% discount, the family must show a current check stub from the Missouri Children’s Division, the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, or private agency (to prove that the family is currently a foster/adoptive parent) at the time of EACH visit.
c. The family’s discount (30% discount up to $100 limit, original value) will be automatically reset after the 6-month period, providing that the family continues to show a current check stub from the Missouri Children’s Division, the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, or private agency at EACH visit.
i The KidStore will continue to operate. [RE]FRESH discounts do not apply to the kidStore, which already sells deeply-discounted goods (average price = $1.00).
ii To ensure that we have enough clothing for everyone, there is a limit on how much discounted clothing a foster youth may purchase during a 6-month period. The average clothing price at [RE]FRESH is $10. Therefore, if a youth purchases 10 pieces of clothing at $10 each and receives a 90% discount, s/he would receive $100 worth of clothing for $10. (10 pieces of clothing x $10) x 90% = $10. After the youth reaches the limit, s/he is welcome to shop using his/her foster parent’s 30% discount. When the foster parent’s discount is exhausted, the youth may continue to shop at the original prices.
iii The [RE]FRESH Approval Form is downloadable via this page, or via email at refresh@foster-adopt.org, or by contacting the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition at 314.367.8373.
iv As long as the youth remains in foster care, s/he is eligible to receive the 90% discount (limit = $100 original value) during the next 6-month period, as long as the youth brings in a new [RE]FRESH Approval Form signed by the youth’s case manager. The 6-month periods are July 1st to December 31st and January 1st to June 30th. Example: If a youth presents his/her case manager-signed [RE]FRESH Approval Form on October 15th, the youth has until December 31st to use the 90% discount up to the $100 limit (original price). To receive the 90% discount up to a $100 limit after January 1st, the youth must provide a new case manager signed [RE]FRESH Approval Form.
v The average clothing price at [RE]FRESH is $10. Therefore, if a family purchases 10 pieces of clothing at $10 each and receives a 30% discount, they would receive $100 worth of clothing for $70. (10 pieces of clothing x $10) x 70% = $70. Once the family’s discount is exhausted, they are welcome to continue shopping at the original prices (average price point at [RE]FRESH is $10).