Introduction and Background
The foster care system was made to give kids who grew up in an unhealthy environment a better living situation. Many people think that putting kids in a foster care home is the best thing for them, but what people don’t know is that it isn’t always the best option. There are many instances in which foster kids report on being abused and not treated well by their foster parents, and also many people do it for the money. Also with the foster care system most of the time there are siblings that get put in together, but it is very rare that siblings stay together. It is important that they stay together because they only have each other. Being in a foster home is already difficult as it is and the kids that are in the system are still developing, so they need to be in a home that can/ will help these kids grow and understand how the world works and not just kick them out when they turn 18.
Foster Care
Current policies
The United States Children’s Bureau websites provides a description and highlight of the current Foster Care system.
As of right now our Foster care system is funded by the Social Security department under Title IV-E.
“Funding is awarded by formula as an open-ended entitlement grant and is contingent upon an approved title IV-E plan to administer or supervise the administration of the program. The title IV-E Agency must submit yearly estimates of program expenditures as well as quarterly reports of estimated and actual program expenditures in support of the awarded funds”
All Fifty States are eligible for funding, also the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico do as well. It has recently became available to Indian Tribes (2010).
It’s more of a joint effort between the Federal government and each State’s government. The Federal government provides the money while the states do most of the operations.
That’s where I think the issue lies because there isn’t a universal standard on the Foster Care system. It all depends on said each state. For example the Forster care system in Mass. does not compare to Alaska due to Mass. having more taxes to collect, better states programs such as healthcare, and already have the school programs and grants to help Foster kids. Thus, I feel like in order to improve the current system, the Federal Government should provide more grants for states, such has Alaska who cant financially provide scholarships, programs, or even programs that help when they grow out the system. This will lead to a more universal Foster care system.
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/title-ive-foster-care
Actionable information
- Consider becoming a foster parent
- If becoming a foster parent is not in your best interest and you still want to help you can give your support to any foster family by donating things like clothes, car seats, toys, even helping them out with a meal any supplies are helpful to not only help the children but relieve some stress off of foster parents
- Get informed and spread the word It may be worth taking some time to read some articles written by foster children to see foster care through their point of view
- Try Volunteering there are a few different ways to do this
- Become a court appointed special advocate which is a great way to get to know a foster child and give them a voice in court
- You can offer a foster home respite care which means you can babysit the foster children as needed
- Mentor a child there are many associations like big brother and big sister programs, foster care to success, etc
- Contact a foster care agency near you to ask how you can help in your area
https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/overview/ways-to-help
Foster Care 