Since 1988, May has been identified as National Foster Care Month. The goal of this designation is to recognize the work of foster families, social workers and agencies, as well as to bring attention to the needs of children residing in foster care. The goal of this article is to identify why and how the community needs to respond to these issues.
Recent headlines have highlighted the increasing need for foster families in response to parental addiction to opioids.
Data published by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children indicates there were more than 3,000 children in foster care in 2016 in just seven counties (Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Carbon and Schuylkill). That’s a lot of kids.
According to national data based on fiscal year 2014, most children leave foster care status within 24 months. Two years is a long time.
While 51% will reunite with their families of origin, 49% will not. That’s a lot of alternate living arrangements.
The Dave Thomas Foundation reports similar national data: more than 130,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted; the average age is 7 ½ years old; three years average length of stay in foster care. Further, 22,000 children leave foster care every year between the ages of 18 and 21. They have no families to help them become functional adults. Many become homeless or incarcerated. That’s a lot of wasted potential.
It is likely that you know someone who is or was involved with the foster care system. I hope this information leaves you wondering, “What can I do?” The answer depends on the time and other resources you are able to commit to the cause. The Foster Coalition lists ways to help that range from donating money or time, to adopting a waiting child. There is an urgent need safe and stable resource family homes in which to place children who are removed from the care of their birth family. The agencies that work with these families need volunteer and monetary support to ensure the children’s needs are met.
Here are links to several local agencies that do this work
Bethany Christian Services, Diakon Child, Family and Community Ministries, Pinebrook Family Answers, and Salvation Army.
Here is what we at KingSpry do to help
We keep abreast of the law; participate in various task forces and committees that address the needs of families; serve on the boards of agencies that provide family services; raise funds within and outside the office to support these agencies; sponsor events that benefit children, families and the community as a whole; and consult with and represent foster and adoptive families.
heARTbeat is a publication of KingSpry’s Adoption Law and Assisted Reproductive Technology Law Practice Group. It is meant to be informational and does not constitute legal advice.
