1. Katie Mattie Community Service Group Project

2. Facts about Foster Homes  There are several reason for placing children in foster homes. The main reason is a result of parental abuse or neglect. Other reasons behind the placement is due to a court order; parents were unable to care for the child and turned their parental rights over; and because the guardians or biological parents died and there was no one else to care for the child.  Children in the American child welfare systems spend more than two years, approximately 28.3 months, in foster care.

3. Facts about Foster Homes  Within just two and a half years, the average child will live in two to five different homes.  Though while the age range of children in foster care is from infants to teenagers, the average child beginning foster care is eight years old.  More than 40% of children in foster care are age 10 or older, and 58% are children of color.

4. Facts about Foster Homes  In 2006, more than 25,000 youth aged out of foster care due to the fact that they turned 18. These children who aged out have a high risk of experiencing homelessness, poor health, unemployment, incarceration, and other poor outcomes in life.  Children can be separated from their siblings, lack appropriate medical, dental, and mental health services, and become overmedicated in order to control their behavior.

5. Facts about Foster Homes  These children are typically placed within institutions, group homes, emergency shelters, and other temporary and non-family settings.  Children in foster care never have a high chance of ending up in a permanent home because they move from one unstable placement to another without warning.  Most adoptions in the United States are through foster parents.  In 2005, 60% of adopted children were adopted by their foster parents.

6. Benefits of Becoming a Foster Parent  The most important benefit of becoming a foster parent is making a difference in the life of a child and the community.  You are provided the opportunity to become a good role model for a child during this difficult time in their life.  You receive specialized training classes that will address child development, dealing with grief, positive parenting, and behavior management techniques.

7. Benefits of Becoming a Foster Parent  These classes train you on how to relate to children and teenagers, and offer specific strategies in handling difficult situations. A social worker will walk through your home and show you safety issues that exist.  Though while a foster parent may receive a daily stipend for the child’s care, they still have to provide information showing that they can pay their current bills and household expenses.

8. Benefits of Becoming a Foster Parent  According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, foster parents who pursue adoption have the benefit of knowing their child and have already gone through the difficult adjustment period before the adoption is complete.  Foster parents pursuing adoption have already completed home study and gotten the approval for adoption.  Foster care adoption is less expensive than other forms of adoption.

9. Benefits of Becoming a Foster Parent  Emotional Benefits: 1) Feelings of accomplishment and pride; 2) They bring you joy and happiness; 3) Provides the day to day parenting couples miss when their children have grown; 4) Knowing that you provided a warm, loving, and caring environment for a child or siblings.  Social Benefits: 1) Helping improve children’s skills and behaviors to improve society; 2) Giving back to the community; 3) Keeping children safe & making communities better environment; 4) Helping people become better parents; 5) Helps own children learn to share and interact with children whose backgrounds differ from their own; and 6) The opportunity to model correct and appropriate behavior to children who lack this understanding.  Economic Benefits: 1) Agency reimburses families $25 per day per foster child for expenses and $.30/mile for related travel expenses; 2) Monthly clothing allowance; 3) Medical and dental care; 4) Reimbursement for birthday and Christmas gifts; and 5) Recreational allowance.

10. Responsibilities of Foster Parents  Work with the Division, the court and the biological parents to develop a permanency plan.  Work with the school(s) to assure the child’s educational needs are being met.  Provide transportation to appointments.  Provide updates to the Division on how child(ren) are progressing.  Maintain a life book, family album, for the child(ren) during their stay in foster care.

11. Disadvantages of Becoming a Foster Parent  Emotional and Personal Considerations: 1) Must work with the biological family members; 2) Dealing with the loss of a child who returns home or leaves your care; 3) Some of your personal information can addressed by the general public; and 4) The impact of a child moving into or out of your home on your own children or family members.

12. Advantages of Foster Child Adoption  The primary difference between an adoptive family and a foster family is that with adoption the potential parent is only looking to adopt.  In some cases, with foster care, the family has developed a strong bond with child and makes them a permanent member of their family.  An adoptive family ahs to apply for adoption and go through the process of home studies and background checks, while foster families have already been through the process before adopting.  The first advantage to foster child adoption is the child is already present in the home and has already developed bonds with the family.  The second advantage is because foster families know how the system works and can speed the process along.

13. How to Become a Foster Parent  21 years of age  US citizen  Able to obtain criminal history clearances, child abuse clearances, and FBI clearances.  Provide proof of income, driver’s license, vehicle registrations & insurances, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.  Have adequate space in your home for an additional child/children.  Able to provide transportation.  Free from communicable diseases and able to handle stress.  Successful in managing your own family life and finances.  Possess patience and understanding for the needs of children of all ages.  Complete 24 hours of paid training (per parent) on topics such as:  1) Communication  2) First Aid/CPR  3) How it all works/Foster parent panel

14. How to Become a Foster Parent  Give without the exception of immediate returns.  Learn and use proven behavior management skills.  Love and care for children with problems.  Single or married.  With or without children of your own.  Employed or not employed.  Good health.  Five references.  Fingerprinted.  DCS provides a 30-hour training preservice program PATH- Parents As Tender Healers- to all foster parents.

15. Foster Care videos  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eJNSqC 9R68&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eJNSqC 9R68&feature=related  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBWTal4 hb7M&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBWTal4 hb7M&feature=related  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XxQTu POcY&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XxQTu POcY&feature=relmfu  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shnaygn QM_8&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shnaygn QM_8&feature=related

16. Seven Steps to Obtaining a Foster child  1. Make a call to a local foster care program.  2. Attend an orientation with foster care representatives and get your questions answered.  3. Complete the foster parent application and turn in to the foster care agency.  4. Have a home study prepared where all clearances are obtained and necessary documents are submitted.  5. Complete training series in which you learn how to effectively foster a child.  6. Obtain certification to become a foster parent.  7. A child, and addition to the family, is placed in your home.

17. Citations  1. http://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/becomefosterparent.htmlhttp://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/becomefosterparent.html  2. http://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/facts.htmlhttp://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/facts.html  3. http://www.livestrong.com/article/139608-what-are-benefits- becoming-foster-parent/http://www.livestrong.com/article/139608-what-are-benefits- becoming-foster-parent/  4.  http://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/benefitsanddisadvantages.html http://home.messiah.edu/~ms1419/benefitsanddisadvantages.html  5. http://www.state.tn.us/youth/fostercare/becomefosterparent.htmhttp://www.state.tn.us/youth/fostercare/becomefosterparent.htm  6. http://ezinarticles.com?The-Advantages-of-Foster-Child- Adoption&id=978790http://ezinarticles.com?The-Advantages-of-Foster-Child- Adoption&id=978790