An organization in my state that does licensing and placements for foster care posted the following statistics recently on social media:
In our state
14 out of every 100 children are in foster care
The average stay of these children in foster homes is 700 days
There are ~15,000 children in foster care and only 4700 licensed foster homes
Like other foster parents, we have had a season with multiple placements in our home at the same time. We had two case workers, two different schedules, the kids went to school in two different towns, and we had two different plans to sort through. Even when we’ve had a single placement and decided not to take another, we received calls asking if we would open our home to more children.
The reality is often there are not enough homes to support the need in foster care.
In the time we have been involved in foster care, I have stood by two truths: 1) Not everyone is meant to be a foster parent/family. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that prevent it. Sometimes the season of life is not right. You also have to count the cost regarding things you’ll have to give up and situations you’ll have to face. If you are not in a position to be a foster parent, that’s okay. There are plenty of ways you can love and support those who are.
2) But the truth also is: More people can and should be foster parents.
So, why not you?
In our state, the requirements aren’t difficult, and that is true practically everywhere. While there are some specifics (like, you have to be at least 21), basically it comes down to: Do you have a safe home you are willing to open up and are you able to physically, financially, and emotionally care for children in need?
Yes, there is training. Yes, there are commitments. Yes, you have to deal with situations you don’t always understand. Yes, you’ll have to deal with behaviors and trauma backgrounds you probably won’t be fully prepared for. Yes, you’ll become attached and it will hurt when the children leave your home. Yes, you’ll have people pry into private parts of your life. Yes, you have to count the cost.
But there are also children in need. Children who have been hurt. Children who need love. Children who need safety. Children who need caring adults to open their homes and love them like their own until, if things work out right, they can return to their own parent(s).
Nationally, on any given day there are 443,000+ kids in the foster care system. If even just one home from each of our 47,000+ SBC churches committed to become a foster home, that would provide over 47,000 more places of love, safety, and support for these kids and reduce the need for current foster parents to take multiple placements at a time.
So, why not you?
If you want to talk more or would like more information on ways to get involved in foster care, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at fosterdadadventures [at] gmail dot com.
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:27 (Christian Standard Bible)
This post originally appeared at fosterdadadventures.com
Photo used with permission: https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-color-wall-paint-house-photo-1370704/
I would strongly encourage all Christians to consider foster care. I have seen a growing trend of more young Christians fostering and adopting, and this is very healthy for them.
It’s a great way to serve a daily need and be “on mission” in our local communities.
I get that it’s a step outside our comfort zones–even though they’re children, you are opening your home to strangers you know very little about at the start. There’s risk involved.
But stepping outside comfort zones and facing risk is the disciple’s call.
I do wonder why more people don’t get involved? Not understanding/knowing the need? Fear? Busyness?
One quick note: You mentioned the word “young” to describe the trend. If the focus is on adoption, I can see that being a factor, but I think us middle aged folk (55) can get involved in foster care with the goal of helping families navigate their problems. To be fair, we’re still in the idealistic phase of arranging for training and certification, but we’re going into this with the goal of intentional foster care. I still have some kids at home, so my mind is still on active parenting. I’ve seen too many of my peers check out when the last one leaves home.
Absolutely.
I know people in their 70s who are fostering. There’s no upper age limit on being a foster parent. And the experience of having had kids in the home is a huge benefit!
Thank you SO much Mike! I am the Director of a Christian foster care agency in Georgia and the need here (and in all states) for more homes is massive. The need is so great and now in most states there are Christian agencies that share your faith and can walk through the approval and placement process with you and help support you along the way. All we need is for more people to say “yes” and take that first step into fostering. As the Church we MUST step into this urgent ministry need.
Glad to be a voice.
We’ve fostered for two years (4 placements, 7 kids) and just went through relicensure for another two years. We work with our state DFS, but want to promote more people getting involved any way they can. 🙂
Thank you Mike and thank you so much for you service in this urgent ministry. I completely agree. Whether it is through a public system or private agency, the important thing is for Christians to get involved.