Shostak 1 Dasha Shostak Graduation Project Lorraine Orenchuk 8 April 2013 Foster Care Many people grow up with

biological parents right by their side. Parents raise their children, pay for all their necessities, and most importantly provide love and care. Unfortunately, many, but not all children have this experience. A great amount of adolescents are placed in foster care systems. Foster care is considered to be a safe haven for children who have experienced mistreatment. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement. The American government needs to refine the quality of its foster care system by providing a stricter application process and extensive training for the caregivers, so that in return, they can help mistreated children succeed. A foster system allows temporary care for children who cannot live with their biological parents. It accommodates these children with a place to sleep, nutritious meals, and education. It also provides care givers who are often called foster parents. If parents are substance abusers, homeless or live below the poverty line, a child may be risking foster care. In 2005, 513,000 children were placed in foster homes (Foster Care Alumni 2010). It has been reported that in 1962 there were 270,000 children who were put into the foster care systems. Since then, the numbers grew very high (Barbell 9). The number one reason for this dramatic increase is due to a higher number of children entering than exiting the foster care. However, this does not stop the government from providing a foster care system because it is the only place where the abandoned children might find refuge.

Shostak 2 Whether a child gets placed in foster care depends on their situation at home. Usually if a child is at risk of being put in foster care due to family financial struggles, welfare gives this family a certain amount of time to better their situation by finding a job. If the childs parents find a job in that allotted time, s/he will not be placed into the foster care system. Poverty has always been a factor affecting the well-being of children and their families. Although the United States is considered to be one of the wealthiest nations in the world, it is known to have a high level of child poverty (Smith 8). In America, poverty primarily affects people of color and of Hispanic descent, as well as single parents. Research has shown that Hispanics make up 34% of the children in foster care and that African- American children total to 37% (Barbell 9). In the 1960s, only 9% of children in foster homes were reported to be previously living with a single parent. By the 1999s, that percentage grew to 29% (9). Poverty limits the ability for parents to provide their children with the basic necessities such as: food, clothing, shelter, health care, transportation, and education. As a result, the foster care system takes on the responsibility of providing these basic needs. Another factor that may lead a child to be placed into a foster care system is parental substance abuse. Women who have taken either alcohol or cocaine during their pregnancy fall under this category. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that between the years of 1992 and 1993, 221,000 women have used illegal drugs and 757,000 women have abused alcohol while pregnant (Barbell 10). Children who have been born to mothers who abused drugs and alcohol while pregnant tend to have poor academic performance, depression and anxiety. They also become substance abusers as adults. Health and Human services found that parental substance abuse is a factor in one-thirds to two-thirds of all children who are reported to the foster care system (10). Children who enter the foster care system, because of parental substance

Shostak 3 abuse, remain in the system longer. Reason being that it takes more time for their biological parents to go through rehabilitation. Homelessness is the third top reason why children are placed in foster care systems. Often children who are homeless are involuntarily taken away from their biological parents because they have no shelter. In 1988, 40% of foster care placements were due to homelessness (16). This dilemma raises questions about the help that is provided by the government for the families who are homeless or who live in an unstable home. There is a debate between either homeless parents being assisted with housing or their children being placed in foster care. At the same time, a number of parents who are homeless have been previously diagnosed either with mental illnesses or substance abuse (16). This leads to another factor; the young adults who previously went through the foster care system as children remain homeless as adults. As a result, they have children who are placed back into foster care, and this cycle continues. In order for children to succeed upon exiting the foster care system, the government needs to force a stricter application process on the caregivers. There are many qualifications that a person who is interested in being a foster caregiver must meet; however, meeting some of those qualifications will not guarantee a child a successful future. One of the criteria that an applicant must meet is the age requirement, which is twenty one (NC Department 2012). The psychological research shows that ones frontal lobe does not develop until they reach age twenty five (Sowell 2). The frontal lobe is responsible for functions such as: reasoning, planning, emotions and problem solving (2), which all are very essential when it comes to guiding a child. Increasing the age requirement on the foster caregiver will improve the childs emotional stability. The foster caregiver whose frontal lobe has developed will be a better guide for a child who is emotionally disrupted.

Shostak 4 Additionally, the government needs to provide foster parents with better training. Less than one-third of foster caregivers report being well trained (Chipungu 10). Better training will serve as a whole new motivation for the foster parents, instead of them quitting after the first year. Many times welfare will give a few online courses to the foster parent, leaving them without any practical knowledge (Packard 17). Foster families regularly report that caseworkers are inaccessible, nonsupportive, and at times disrespectful (17). To improve case management, child welfare agencies need to view foster parents as vital partners and take steps to be more responsive and inclusive. Most agencies require foster parents to complete a thirty hour orientation that includes taking notes and watching various videos (NC Department 2012). The training does not include face-to-face experience with children, which is believed to be more effective. Filling out an application and meeting the age, income and criminal record requirement will not always assure that the child is in the hands of a loving foster care-giver. In order for the foster care system to be one hundred percent effective in caring for the homeless, abused, or financially unstable children, the government needs to find caregivers that are not only there for the money that they get paid, but because of the love and passion they have for the children. However, inadequate financial support can prove to be a disincentive to the most willing and desirable foster parent. In 2000, the average monthly foster care reimbursement was $387 for a 2-year-old, $404 for a 9-year-old, and $462 for a 16-year-old (Chipungu 6). Foster parents have to pay out of their own pocket to provide the child with the basic needs. It would not be a problem if foster parents could adopt, but because it is against the law, foster parents view the support they must provide more like a job, than a calling. Receiving more stable financial help from the government not only will help foster caregivers to provide the child with the basic physical needs, but the emotional, social and cognitive needs as well.

Shostak 5 Foster children are in a big need of stability during the time of transition between the birth home and foster care system. Well-paid and passionate foster caregivers will be able to provide that stability, which leads to emotional well-being. Stability in a childs life promotes security and trust (Project Play 2011). Secure attachments with adults that are capable of providing a stable home, will strengthen a childs emotional state and their trust. Frequent moves reduce childrens ability to develop secure healthy attachments and emotional health. These children may be able to compensate for their loss by forming attachments to other caring adults (like foster caregivers) who are a regular part of their life and understand the childs need for closeness and security (2). While the importance of stable family relationships is widely acknowledged, the need for stable relationships in the child care setting is often overlooked. While stability is very important in a childs development, predictability is also a number one key to a childs success (3). People like to follow a daily routine in their lives. A person wakes up, takes a shower, gets dressed, eats breakfast and goes off either to school or work. Children are in a big need of this predictability. Knowing that tomorrow will be the same for them can stabilize them. Similar every day routines are known to reduce anxiety disorders (3). Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are more prone to anxiety because the environments they lived in have already been proven to be unpredictable. This anxiety can impair their ability to interact with others. Foster caregiver needs to spend enough time with a child to where a child is used to them, which will develop childs the social skills. Children who experience family stability have caregivers remain constant and consistent (Packard 33). Consistency reassures the child that no matter what happens to him/her in the adult life, they will always be able to interact with others.

Shostak 6 Foster caregivers play a big role in a childs cognitive development. Moving from one caregiver to another can hinder childrens learning abilities. Children who constantly move around do not have time to build a trusting relationship with a caregiver. They shut themselves down and they are incapable of trying new things. Not having the ability to step out of their comfort zone prevents them from learning new concepts. The extra stress from being moved from one caregiver to another can traumatize a child. Scholars have noted that young children exposed to trauma (whether it is physical or emotional), are more likely to experience physiologic changes at the neurotransmitter and hormonal levels (Harding 7). These physiologic changes impair a childs ability to learn, focus, remember and engage in self- control. On the contrary, foster children, who have an increased likelihood of experiencing poverty and separation from family of origin, may have more positive outcomes if they are fortunate enough to also experience protective factors (9). These protective factors include having a consistent care giver. Children in more stable environments are more likely to have positive developmental outcomes. In order for foster children to succeed in life, the government needs to offer a better system of care. The improvement can start with extensive hands- on training for potential foster parents and stricter application process. It is obvious to see why a foster care system maybe the best option for the child who has been either abandoned or mistreated. Every young person deserves to have a stable home that provides them with food, shelter, health care and clothing. However, not all foster care systems are perfect and they are in a big need of improvement. That improvement has to start with the foster caregivers and the government. A person who wants to be a guardian for a foster child must do it out of love and care, not just the money that government pays them. Then again, a person who has all the desire in the world to care for

Shostak 7 someone elses child might not ever do it because they are limited in the resources. Children are the next generation. They must succeed in their lives in order for the country to move forward. Foster caregivers are responsible to make sure that these neglected children receive all the emotional, social and cognitive help possible.

Shostak 8
Works Cited Barbell, Kathy, and Madelyn Freundlich. Demographic Characteristics of Children in Foster Care. Foster Care Today: 1-46. The City University of New York.Web. 16 May 2013.<http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/policyissues/foster_care_tod ay.pdf>. Chipungu, Sandra Stukes. The Foster Care Experience. Children, Families, and Foster Care 14.1 (2004): n. pag. The Future of Children. Web. 17 May 2013. <https://www.princeton.edu/ futureofchildren/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=40&articleid=135ionid=888>.

Harden, Brenda Jones. "Safety and Stability for Foster Children." The Future of Children. Princeton University, 2004. Web. 22 May 2013.
National Facts about Children in Foster Care. Foster Care Alumni of America, 2009. Web. 17 May 2013. <http://www.fostercarealumni.org/resources/foster_care_facts_and_statistics.htm>. NC Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Government, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/licensing/fosterhomes.htm>. Packard, David, and Lucile Packard. Children, Families, and Foster Care. N.p.: n.p., 2004. Vol. 14 The Future of Children. PrincetonUniversity. Web.16 May 2013. <https://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/docs/14_01_FullJournal.pdf>. Smith, Maureen. Foster Parents and the Home Environment. San Jose: One Washington Square, 2001. Sacramento State University. Web. 17 May 2013. . <http://www.csus.edu/calst/ government_affairs/reports/fostercare.pdf>. Sowell, Elizabeth. "Adolescent Brain Development and Legal Culpability." American Bar Association Spring (2003): 1-4. Print.

Shostak 9