How Does the Foster Care System Work?
The United States child welfare system is in the midst of a foster care crisis. The shortage of foster care homes across the country has left many kids without parents to care for them. The Covid-19 pandemic widened the gap between the number of children in foster care and available homes for them. We have a greater need for licensed foster parents and adoptive families than ever before.
In many cases, foster care agencies face record-high numbers of children entering the system. The situation is so bad that some children are forced to sleep in the Department of Social Services offices. Children entering foster care experience intense distress. Providing them with a secure, caring home environment is crucial to restoring emotional and, at times, physical wellness, too.
Raising awareness is the first step to making proper support services available for every child in foster care. If you're a prospective foster parent, you may have questions about how your state foster care program works.
This summary explains how the foster care system in America works and answers common questions for potential foster families. These include what exactly is foster care? Under what circumstances do kids enter the foster care system? What are a foster parent's responsibilities?
A dedicated foster care advocate can assist you if you have particular questions based on your circumstances or interests. Reach a local foster care facility in your state to learn more.
What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a temporary situation in which a licensed foster family cares for a child in state custody. The federal government's role is funding and legislating support for foster care. However, support implementation occurs at the state level through various social services departments for children and families.
Kids enter foster care when their biological parents can no longer care for them. The foster care system involves first identifying home situations where children are not safe. In these situations, social workers in state child welfare agencies step in to protect children.
The goal of foster home care is for trained, licensed, and loving foster families to take children into their homes. Foster families give these kids love and support until they safely return to their biological parents or primary caregivers.
Reunification is the primary goal in most foster care cases. Rejoining children with their birth families is not always possible. In those cases, the goal is to place children with consistent and loving long-term care or, ideally, with adoptive parents.
Foster parents must work with care team members to keep foster youth safe and well. Foster support teams include court staff (and CASA volunteers), caseworkers, school staff, doctors, and other health care professionals.
When you become a foster parent, you can make a difference in your community by helping children in need. Even more importantly, you can positively impact the life of a child.
Why Do Children Enter Foster Care?
Children in foster care range in age from infants to teenagers. All states help foster children until they become legal adults at age 18; some even support them into their early 20s.
At the time children enter foster care, they or their parents are experiencing a crisis. Child welfare workers discover unsafe living environments or identify child abuse or neglect victims. Children can join the system if a parent is in jail, in the hospital, or is otherwise unable to take care of them.
After removing the children, there are several options available for them. Social workers place foster children in Kinship care whenever possible. In these cases, foster youth live with a relative or close family friend. If this isn't possible, social workers try to find a foster family or place youth in a group home.
The U.S. Children's Bureau is an Office of the Administration for Children & Families. They track and publish a nationwide report about the state of foster care. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) report, there are currently 391,098 children in foster care. Additionally, 53% of the case plan goals for these children involve reuniting them with their families.
Many adults who become foster parents are open to adopting a foster child one day. Agencies aim to reunite foster kids with their parents when it's safe, but some kids still require adoption.
Birth parents who want to reunite with their children must follow a court plan while their kids are in state custody. This plan aims to address safety concerns and assist them in improving their caregiving skills. How long it takes to address the problems can vary. However, most foster parents care for a child for several months to a year.
How Does the Foster Care System Work?
People report to child welfare services if they think a child is in danger. People may report child abuse for physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Common reasons kids enter foster care are neglect, poverty, or other harmful living conditions. In many cases, they can make an anonymous report.
Children may be too young or in too much distress to tell someone themselves. Sadly, many may be too scared or blame themselves for abuse or other living conditions. At times, young people want help but don't know how to get it.
We may never fully know the full extent of child mistreatment in our country. However, people who step in to advocate for children can provide much-needed help.
Child welfare agencies check reports and take children away if they think their living conditions are not safe. Kids brought into foster care may live with other family members, a licensed foster family, or in a group home. The state or a social service agency usually arranges the placement.
Sometimes, rejoining with their birth family is not possible or best for a child. The court can terminate parental rights, making kids in foster care eligible for adoption. When parents can't care for their child, authorities may ask foster parents if they want to adopt.
Many differences exist between fostering and adoption, but it is possible to adopt through foster care. Some children refuse adoption or run out of time when they turn 18 and become legal adults. When kids "age out" of foster care, the state no longer provides support services. Long-term outlooks are better for adopted kids than for youth who age out of foster care.
How to Foster a Child in America
The first thing foster parents should understand is that each state has different approval and licensing requirements. Many people fit the state requirements and don't even realize it.
While states vary, there are common foster requirements among all. In every state, foster parents must be 18 years or older; in some, the minimum age is 21. Private child-placing agencies may have different age requirements, including some up to 25 years old.
People who want to foster a child have two options: state foster care or a private foster agency. Both routes have pros and cons, and it may depend on preferences. Experts suggest that adults should explore options to find the one that best meets their requirements. As you consider options, ask questions of child-placing agencies in your state.
If you are married or in a committed relationship, talk to your spouse or significant other about fostering. For both adults, facing childcare challenges together is important. Fostering can be difficult but also immensely rewarding. Taking care of a foster child in need will make a significant difference in their life and future success.
Bringing a foster child into your home is a decision that affects the entire family. Social workers stress the need for adults to agree and help children and other family members understand the commitment.
Teaching family members about their role in making foster kids feel welcome and supported is important. This could involve explaining the difficulties experienced by your foster child before they entered care. It could involve encouraging family members to keep open lines of communication with your foster child and each other. It also means teaching them to understand and respect your foster child's choices and need for personal space.
After deciding to become a foster parent, research your state's rules and requirements and contact a child-placing agency. A foster child advocate there will answer questions and walk you through the fostering approval process.
After you talk to a foster advocate, you will be able to attend foster orientation. This is an excellent time to ask questions, learn more about a foster parent's responsibilities, and address concerns. Orientation is also an opportunity to meet other adults beginning their foster parenting journey.
After orientation, you can continue with the licensing process. This includes paperwork, background checks, the Home Study, and pre-service foster training.
Who Makes a Good Foster Parent?
Many people mistakenly believe you must fit a particular parent model to foster. One example is the common misconception that only married couples or families with kids can foster.
Fostering does not have marital requirements. Adults who become foster parents can be single, divorced, in a committed relationship, or married. Adults who identify as cisgender and LGTBQ are welcome to join the foster community. You do not have to fit the traditional nuclear family model to foster or adopt a child.
No requirement exists to be a perfect parent. That is an impossible ideal.
Some adults avoid fostering because they worry about making mistakes. In reality, all parents make mistakes and sometimes feel overwhelmed. Foster parents must have time and flexibility to care for foster kids. They must commit to being dependable and prioritize their foster child's well-being.
While state and agency requirements vary, there are a few traits that every good foster parent must have. First, people who become foster parents must love kids. Foster parents work hard on behalf of their children. They spend a lot of time and effort learning to be good caregivers.
Next, foster parents must understand that foster care is temporary. Most foster kids will reunite with their parents. It is easy to become attached to your foster children quickly, and they may return to their birth family sooner than expected. Saying goodbye to foster children is hard.
Being a good foster parent means being flexible. Sometimes, you'll have to adjust your expectations, schedule, and routine to meet the needs and commitments of your foster children.
A good foster parent is also an excellent communicator. As a foster parent, you'll have to communicate with members of your care team. These include family members, foster children and their caseworkers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and others.
At times, foster parents must communicate with biological parents, as well. While that may seem daunting, most find it helpful as a way to understand and nurture their foster children's needs.
Patience is another must-have trait for any parent. Every foster child has experienced trauma. Foster kids may not be open to talking and may not behave as expected. Good parents give their foster kids time, respect their boundaries, and remember that change doesn't happen overnight.
Foster Care Myths & Misconceptions
Many myths and misconceptions exist about the foster care system and how it works.
A common misconception is about how old is too old to foster. No maximum age limit exists for foster parents. The critical requirement is that foster parents are healthy enough to care for a child.
Another myth is about home ownership. Foster parents do not need to own their homes; Homeownership isn't a barrier to fostering or adoption. Rent or own, your home must meet all safety requirements and have ample space for foster children.
One harmful myth about foster parenting is that you must be a stay-at-home parent. People can work outside the home or remotely and still be wonderful foster parents. The requirement is that foster parents have time and energy to devote to a child's care.
Foster Parent Requirements
Foster parent requirements vary by state and the type of foster agency, either state-run or privately managed. The minimum age requirement and the number of required parent training hours are two rules that tend to vary. Minimum ages typically range from 18-25 years old. The number of pre-service training hours ranges between 20-50 hours.
However, there are many foster parent requirements each state has in common. Foster parents must:
- Be legal adults; most state agencies recognize this between 18-21 years old
- Pass a criminal background check and provide fingerprints
- Meet all home safety requirements
- Provide a stable living environment
- Be responsible adults and provide 24/7 care
- Fulfill pre-service training hours and keep up with ongoing training requirements
- Complete the Home Study process
In addition, each foster child must have enough space in the home. Children over one year old need their own bed and personal space (such as a dresser) for their belongings.
Each state has rules about sharing a bedroom. In general, foster children cannot share a room with an adult. However, kids of the same gender and age group can usually share a room.
Foster parents must nurture their child's physical and emotional well-being. This means providing a loving, supportive environment. It also means taking foster kids to appointments, overseeing their education, and encouraging their unique interests.
What is Respite Care?
Respite foster care is a temporary arrangement that gives foster parents a break. A respite caregiver takes in foster children of another licensed family when parents need short-term care support.
Similar to hiring a babysitter, respite care has many benefits to the provider. Respite care is a vital form of support, especially if a family needs help on short notice.
The requirements for respite foster parents are similar to those for other foster roles. Respite caregivers must be adults who meet the minimum age requirements. They must undergo foster parent training and have a home that meets safety and state home inspection requirements.
Respite care parents must complete an application and pre-license education. To provide respite care for foster families, contact your local child-placing agency for information.
Start Fostering Today
The U.S. foster care crisis needs more reliable adults to become foster parents and provide homes for children. Every foster kid has had a rough start in life and faces an uncertain future. Your involvement as a foster family can be a child's turning point to a happy and secure life.
This guide has answered questions and helped demystify how the foster care system works. Now, you can take the next step toward helping foster youth in need.
Reach out to a local child-placing agency and begin your rewarding journey as a foster parent. Your action today will bring hope, love, and stability to a child's life tomorrow.
