Did you know that May is National Foster Care Month?

National Foster Care Month is observed in the United States during the month of May every year.  It began with President Ronald Reagan in 1988 as a way of showing appreciation to foster parents across the country and to highlight that there are still children waiting to find their forever homes.

What is Foster Care?

Unlike adoption, foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home (residential child care community, treatment center, etc.), or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a “foster parent” or with a family member approved by the state. The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency (source: Wikipedia; and for more info see Foster care – Wikipedia ).  

Why is a child put in Foster Care?

There are many reasons for a child to be in foster care. The main causes are related to behavioral problems of the child, or an inability of the biological parents to raise the child due to hardship or substance abuse or criminal behavior. Often the child being fostered has been a victim of domestic abuse by the parents or other family members (for more see: What Are The Reasons For A Child To Be In Foster Care). Sometimes foster parents choose to adopt the children they foster, but often they are cycled through the foster care system over and over until they age out at 18.  This does not always serve the best interests of the child and often produces young adults who have not been given the skills to thrive in society.

What are the problems with foster care?

There is a myriad of problems inherent in the foster care system. Placing children in group homes is often the norm, instead of putting them in settings where the parent-child ratio is smaller. The older a child in foster care becomes the more difficult it is to place them for adoption. 

One of the biggest criticisms of the current foster care environment is that teens age out of the system without proper support to help them succeed as adults. The amount and extent of support services offered to foster parents to ensure their success in parenting is lacking. 

There needs to be a focus on reunification with the biological parents, and if that is not possible then adoption by foster care parents is preferred over continued time in the system. 

Finally, as a result of being in foster care, children’s needs often go unheard (see also: https://mashable.com/article/foster-care-problems/) which leads to developmental and societal problems. 

How can I make a difference?

The mission of foster care groups is to create permanent environments for children. The foster care system varies by state.  States such as Illinois have a public foster care system administered by Dept. of Children & Family Services (DCFS). Other states, like Georgia, have a hybrid foster care system in which DCFS and private organizations set up and administer foster homes for at-risk children. Often, churches & religious organizations facilitate the fostering of children with families that are in their congregations.  

You can support agencies in your state by volunteering, participating through donations, fundraisers and corporate matching gifts, or just by sharing your own adoption/foster care story with others.  

There isn’t anything more rewarding than making a difference in the life of a child.

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