Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ ABOUT MAKING A DONATION

• What kind of donations is the program seeking?
The For the Seventh Generation program will accept financial donations, new and used items
(in good condition), personal and professional services, event tickets, and the donation of special
venues to host celebrations and fundraisers.

• How do I make a donation?
All donations can be made on-line. Start by going to the How To Help page of this website

• Who will my donation help?
Your donation will help the foster care wards of the Wayne County Circuit Court Juvenile Division
and their families receive needed services and goods.

• Can I limit my donation to a specific child or family?
No. Although we give examples of needy children and families on our website, your donation will be
assigned to the most appropriate child or family that we are currently serving. These determinations
are done in coordination with the Department of Human Services.

• How will I be notified if my donation has been assigned to a child or family?
You will be contacted by the For the Seventh Generation administration when your donation has been
assigned. After that, the foster care worker for the child and/or family will be responsible for arranging
the next step. You will be given a contact process for our office to let us know if you are having trouble.
Our office will also follow up with you to see that you were contacted and to find out how the assignment
is working.

• Is my donation tax deductible?
The DMBA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and therefore your donation may be
deductible to the extent provided by law. You will receive an acknowledgment of donation from our
office at the time the donation is made. For more information about the IRS rules governing charitable
donations go to http://www.irs.gov/publications/p561/index.html

• Can I participate if I do not have regular access to email?
Unfortunately, no, this program is designed to be an on-line resource and requires email contact and
internet access to be effective.

• Will my name be made public?
You will have the ability to decide whether you wish to have your name made public as a donor to the
program. Under no circumstances will your name be made public in connection to the donation of
services or goods that you are making.

I. Making a donation of goods and merchandise

• Are there restrictions on donating used goods and merchandise?
Yes. All items must be either new or in very good used condition. If it is determined that it is unlikely
that the item will be appropriate for or safely used by a child or family, the program reserves the right to
refuse the contribution. Items may not be picked up until they have been assigned to a child or family.
Restrictions may also be placed on items that are too costly or difficult to store or transport.

• How will I get my used goods and merchandise to the program?
The For the Seventh Generation program will work with you to arrange transport and storage. Items
may not be picked up until they have been assigned to a child or family. Restrictions may also be placed
on items that are too costly or difficult to store or transport.

• Who do I contact if there is a problem with the donation process?
Contact FTSG at 313-961-6120 ext 214 or email us at 7thGen@detroitlawyer.org

• How do I evaluate my donation for tax purposes?
Valuation should be made with the advice of a qualified tax professional in accordance with the require-
ments of the internal Revenue Service guidelines. For more information about the IRS rules governing
charitable donations go to http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506.html

II. Making a donation of services for an individual child

• What kinds of services are needed to help individual children in the program?
For the Seventh Generation is open to a wide variety of services for the children we serve. We have
children of all ages from toddlers to teens and each of them have specific needs. If you are unsure if what
you are offering is of use, please fill out our on-line form and we will contact you to discuss whether we
have an immediate need or will need to wait for the right child to come along. Check our wish list to see
what workers are currently asking for. If you think that a child or family might benefit from your donation,
chances are someone out there will see the same thing and be grateful you decided to volunteer. Remember,
the foster care worker will contact you before any final decisions are made and the two of you will decide
if this is the right fit for this child or family.

• How long a commitment is required to donate a service?
One child, one service, one year! A child in foster care has lived a life of temporary relationships and
unfulfilled promises. Your willingness to work with this child for one year, gives the time and attention
necessary for a bond to be created and trust to be developed.

• How will I be connected with the child who is receiving my service donation?
You will be contacted by the foster care worker in charge of the case. All arrangements will be made
through that worker and they will be the ones determining whether this child or family are appropriate
for the service that is being donated. FTSG will also be contacting you periodically to check in and see
how the service assignment is going. You are always able to let us know if there is a problem.

• What happens if there is a problem with the service arrangement?
Initially, we hope that you will be able to work out issues with the assigned worker for the child. However,
in the event that this is not successful, we ask that you contact FTSG immediately and we will work with
you and the worker to resolve any difficulties you are experiencing. Our goal is to ensure that you have a
positive and fulfilling experience with the child or family that you are helping.

• Who do I contact if there is a problem with the donation process?
Contact FTSG at 313-961-6120 ext 214 or email us at 7thGen@detroitlawyer.org

• Do I require any special insurance to donate a service to one of the children?
You will be required to have insurance coverage that is a reasonable standard of practice for the service
you are donating. I.e. doctors will need malpractice coverage; event venues will need liability insurance.
The FTSG program does not offer nor provide any additional coverage. You may be asked to sign a
waiver of liability at the time that you enter into a service arrangement with a child or family and in some
instances; you may be required to show proof of insurance. The Foster Care worker approves all service
arrangments and will ask for whatever is required by their agency to complete the service agreement.

• How do I evaluate my donation for tax purposes?
Valuation should be made with the advice of a qualified tax professional in accordance with the require-
ments of the internal Revenue Service guidelines. For more information about the IRS rules governing
charitable donations go to http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506.html

III. Making a donation of event tickets and programs for groups of foster care children

• What kinds of group events or programs are needed to help children in the program?
Any programs or events that are suitable for children in a specific age bracket are encouraged. Restaurants,
sports venues and other child-oriented programs can be used for celebration parties and reward activities
for accomplishments on the part of the children. Size, venue, and activities are all negotiable.

• How will a group event be organized through the Program?
Group events will be coordinated directly through the FTSG administration in cooperation with the
Department of Social Services and other Child Care providers.

• Who do I contact if there is a problem with the donation process?
Contact FTSG at 313-961-6120 ext 214 or email us at 7thGen@detroitlawyer.org

• Do I require any special insurance to donate a service to one of the children?
You will be required to have insurance coverage that is a reasonable standard of practice for the service
you are donating. I.e. doctors will need malpractice coverage; event venues will need liability insurance.
The FTSG program does not offer nor provide any additional coverage. You will be asked to sign a waiver
of liability at the time that you enter into a service arrangement with a child or family and in some instan-
ces; you may be required to show proof of insurance. .

• How do I evaluate my group event or program donation for tax purposes?
Valuation should be made with the advice of a qualified tax professional in accordance with the require-
ments of the internal Revenue Service guidelines.

IV. Making a service donation to a family

• What kinds of services are needed to assist families in the program?
Family services are often focused on the physical help needed to create a safe, functional, and reasonable
home environment. Home repair and maintenance, furniture and household support are often the difference
between a family being reunited or not. There may also be instances where vocational support and medical
treatment are important to a family’s long-term health and suitability.

• How long a commitment is required to donate a service?
This depends on the nature of the service and the needs of a family. In no circumstances does the commit-
ment exceed one year or one family.

• How will I be connected with the family who is receiving my service donation?
You will be contacted by the foster care worker in charge of the case. All arrangements will be made
through that worker and they will be the ones determining whether this child or family are appropriate for
the service that is being donated. FTSG will also be contacting you periodically to check in and see how
the service assignment is going. You are always able to let us know if there is a problem.

• What happens if there is a problem with the service arrangement?
Initially, we hope that you will be able to work out issues with the assigned worker for the child. However,
in the event that this is not successful, we ask that you contact FTSG immediately and we will work with
you and the worker to resolve any difficulties you are experiencing. Our goal is to ensure that you have a
positive and fulfilling experience with the child or family that you are helping.

• Who do I contact if there is a problem with the donation process?
Contact FTSG at 313-961-6120 ext 214 or email us at 7thGen@detroitlawyer.org

• Do I require any special insurance to donate a service to a family?
You will be required to have insurance coverage that is a reasonable standard of practice for the service
you are donating. I.e. doctors will need malpractice coverage; event venues will need liability insurance.
The FTSG program does not offer nor provide any additional coverage. You may be asked to sign a waiver
of liability at the time that you enter into a service arrangement with a child or family and in some instances;
you may be required to show proof of insurance. .

• How do I evaluate my donation for tax purposes?
In most instances, service donations are not tax deductable. To determine whether your donation might
qualify, consult a tax professional about the requirements of the internal Revenue Service guidelines.
For more information about the IRS rules governing charitable donations go to
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506.html

FAQ ABOUT REQUESTING SERVICES FOR A CHILD

• What children and families are served by the program?
Services will only be provided to children who are currently court adjudicated wards under the jurisdiction
of the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court, Family Division – Juvenile. Case information, names of the
child(ren) P-numbers and caseload numbers will be required where applicable.

• Who is authorized to request services for a child or family?
The individual requesting services must be one of the following:
      > A Department of Human Services Caseworker or Supervisor
      > A Representative of a Child Services Foster Care Agency or Residential facility under contract to
      the Department of Human Services to provide foster care services
      > An Attorney Representing a Child or Family in a matter currently before the 3rd Circuit, Family
      Division – Juvenile Court
      > A Judge or Referee of the 3rd Circuit, Family Division – Juvenile Court

• I am a juvenile justice professional, how do I become authorized to request services for a client?
Go to the Request Services for a Child page and complete the form required to set up a For The Seventh
Generation password and account.

• What is the process for requesting a service that has been donated already and is listed on the website?
Go to the Request Services for a Child page and complete the form required to set up a For The Seventh
Generation password and account.

• What is the process for requesting a service that has not been donated and is not listed on the website?
Log in to your account and complete the form that appears describing the requested services. The FTSG
administration will begin the process of identifying a service or goods provider to answer that request.
You will be notified that we have received your request and also when we have found the requested item
or service.

• Once the request form has been completed, how long will it take to receive an answer?
You will receive immediate notification that your request has been received. If the item or service is already
on our donated list, you will get the referral within 5 working days. If the request involves a group event,
the referral may take up to a month to arrange. If the item or service is not currently available, then the
FTSG will make every best effort to locate a donor, but cannot guarantee success within a given period.

• How will I be contacted if my request has been authorized?
All contact from the FTSG administration will be electronic unless special circumstances require phone
communication.

• How do I get a donation included in the Success Story portion of the website?
Write a brief (no more than 250 words) description of your success story and send it to the FTSG email.
Remember, we will need clearance from the donor to include any identifying information about their
involvement. If you want to include a photo, we will need to make sure that we have permission from
everyone in the picture to publish their photo.

• Who do I contact if there is a problem with the donation process?
Contact FTSG at 313-961-6120 ext 214 or email us at 7thGen@detroitlawyer.org