Now please, tell me, what is right about the foster care system?

In a report from the Inspector General of the US Dept of Health and Human Services, some findings:

At least one fire or health deficiency was found in 40 of the 48 homes reviewed.

In 28 of the 48 homes, no record could be found to prove that required criminal background checks had been made.

The report described some foster homes as filled with trash.

Look at the numbers of foster children among the homeless and prison populations, we see that either close to or more than 50% of those populations came from foster care.

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Why do our foster children not progress as other children in the community? Why can't they get (and keep) jobs? Why can't they take care of themselves medically? Why can't they manage, buy food, and pay for medical services?

The reason is simple:
We do not treat foster children the same as other children.

For example, we have laws that prohibit foster children from having more than $1000 dollars in assets so, while they are in care, they cannot save money to support themselves. That is a Federal law

Since kids are on federal medicaid, they are less likely to get their health needs met. Since so few doctors, therapists, and other healthcare providers take Medicaid, foster kids can wait weeks to months for services. Foster parents sometimes have to pay out of their pockets for emergencies.

At 18, they are thrown out on their own.

Just a Mom

I am shocked by this. Whoever was licensing those homes certainly didn't do mine, because it was thoroughly checked, as were our backgrounds. What state was this in?

I hate that most foster children are "below" other children. When we took in our foster kids, we found out quickly that people expected nothing good to come of them. We lucked out on having an awesome pediatrician, but hospitals were down right rude to us and them. There definitely needs to be changes.

DREAMIN OF BEING A MOMMY!!

U R SOOO RIGHT!!! AS A FOSTER CHILD MYSELF I COULDN'T AGREE WITH U ANYMORE!! I HAD TO STRUGGLE MY *** OFF THE GET WHERE I AM TODAY!! I HAD NOTHING AT 18 AND NOW AT 24 I'M STILL BUILDING!!

Gracie Niemi

There are definately people in the world who do foster care for money and treat their foster kids very differently than their own. But I can guarantee there are also people who do it to help children.

My parents are foster parents and are wonerful parents to these kids. I've never labeled any of my foster brothers and sisters as 'foster kids' when I introduce them or talk about them. They are my brothers and sisters and are treated as such. They go on vacations at least 4 times a year with the family. They have the same priveleges as any of the rest of us. Most came from terrible situations and are in a much better place. They always have everything they need. And about the Medicaid thing, my parents have always spent money out of their pockets if it was needed because they are just like the rest of the children. In their teen years, if they want to get a job, my parents or I will provide the transportation for that. Once they turn 18 my mom always makes sure they have a place to live if they want to move out. We're the only family they consider as 'family' as most of theirs don't even communicate with them. They always come to visit when they leave, because they know we have much love for them.

There are things that are not right in the world that have no answers...there will always be things wrong. My family is proof though that things can even be better than great for these children, and I know several other families who are the same way. The system is definately not perfect, but I wouldn't blame everything on the system...there are just bad people out there who trick it.

Gershom

Hmm... let me think.... no, not that....
nope...
uh...
not that..

I'll have to think about this one longer, cause I can't think of a damn thing.

doanut_angel

as a former foster parent i agree it is harder for the children because foster parents don't get nearly enough money to care for the children let alone clothes for them and medical care. we had to end up waiting for about 3 months for approval for a new doc for a little girl that was already diagnosed with ad/hd and needed her meds very bad but wasn't able to get them because of waiting on doctors.

I know when we had children they inspected our house very regular we had visits from case workers at least twice a week and some surprise visits so i'm not sure where this info came from but god be with those children that are dealing with it!!

Mom to Foster Children

Tickled Blue answered your question perfectly!

While they may not be able to have more than 1000 in assets and when entering care it could take a while to get health-care and such...this is nothing compare to what some of these children go through while living with their natural parents.

Rosie

I think the system needs a BIG make over but there are good things about it too.

tiffywiffy

Foster care definately needs reform all over the U.S. Workers are not properly researching some of the bad foster parents out there, nor are they inspecting the home they are placed in. I am fortunate to have had 2 former placements that were with wonderful workers who were ontop of making sure the child's needs were met...and I keep a clean home, dress my kids nice, treat them as if they were my own, and love them like crazy.

It sickens me to hear that too many foster homes are using the monthly stipend they receive and spend it on themselves instead of providing for the child in their care. No, it's not enough to care for a child, but at least they pay us, and afterall - it's not supposed to be about the $$, it's about the welfare of the CHILD, and making them feel comfortable while they are in a situation they didn't ask for! Just talking about this makes me angry for the children, it's not their fault, but so many are foster parents for the wrong reasons - people who should probably even have their own children taken away from them. It's a shame because there are so many women out there who would do anything to have a baby, and here we are trying to understand WHY children are treated the way that they are by their own parents, then they get treated horribly in a place they are supposed to call a "safe haven".

fostermom@ymail.com

Imagine a perfectly healthy baby is conceived, the future filled with potential. Now, because a mother does not place her child's needs above her own, this child is born with mental retardation so severe he will never function as a normal adult. The mother neglects the child, often feeding him only once a day, if that, when he is with her. The father is rarely there, and it's really better that he's not judging by the scars left behind.

Another child is born healthy, but her parents are royally messed up. She sees things that most adults would find beyond disturbing, experiences worse. Her mother was pregnant according to records, with her little brother, but no one knows what happened to the baby and the mother claims not to have been pregnant at all. She is four years old and has been diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

What is right with the foster system? These children were rescued - sent to a loving home where their needs were met and they THRIVED. It's not a perfect system, I get far less money than I spend on the children back from social services, but while they are with me I LOVE them, and I will always love them, forever. Every home in our area has a background check, references AND unscheduled social worker visits once per month. I think these stats are either skewed or taken from one small region in need of an overhaul.

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