AUSTIN, Texas — Typically, when parents need a babysitter, they can ask a neighbor, relative or friend to help.
For foster parents, it can be a little trickier. Foster parents aren't allowed to leave children with someone unless that person has been vetted and certified with foster agencies or the State of Texas.
Beth Heyer has a background of working with children in foster care and saw the need for a company here in Austin that could better support foster families. She started Babysitting Connection and created a network of local babysitters who are vetted and certified to watch children in foster care.
She said the service can be used for a wide range of scenarios – whether that's a doctor appointment, going to vote, a date night or even just taking a breather.
"Families need a break. All parents need a break. So the fact that these families, in a lot of cases, are dealing with children that are coming out of trauma, children that are coming out of difficult situations – these parents really need a break," Heyer said.
She said she also runs a nonprofit that works alongside Babysitting Connection to better support foster families. It's called BC Gives Back.
"If the family can't pay the hourly wage to the babysitter – which is typically $18 tp $20 an hour, depending [on] how many kids they have – Foster Angels, we've worked with them and we've talked to them and there's an opportunity for them to provide support. We've also said, too, 'We will find a way to get you the care you need.'"
There are three levels of membership to Babysitting Connection: basic, premium and platinum. Memberships start at $29.99 a month.
Heyer said the biggest hurdle for her company is getting the message out to foster agencies that it is even an option for families. She encourages foster parents to directly contact their foster agencies and let them know that they would like to start being able to utilize the service.
To learn more, you can contact Beth directly at beth@babysittingconnection.com or by calling 512-200-4418.
KVUE launched the Forever Families segment with Partnerships for Children (PFC) in June 2020 to highlight children in the Heart Gallery of Central Texas who need secure and permanent families. Every day, there are nearly 1,000 children waiting to get adopted in Central Texas, according to PFC.