Foster Parents Have Become Professionals In Some States [witnessla.com]

Alicia Doktor 3/1/194:00 AM

Foster parents, tasked with the 24-7 care of often-traumatized children, show up for parent-teacher meetings, ferry their charges to doctor’s appointments, supervise homework and serve up cuddles. Many work closely with struggling biological parents in hopes of an eventual reunion.

These days, many foster parents are being asked to do even more, as an increasing number of children enter the foster care system with serious behavioral and mental health issues — issues that require a deft hand and intensive training. Meanwhile, largely because of the opioid crisis, there are more children who need foster care, and not enough families to provide it.

Traditionally, foster care largely has been an altruistic endeavor. Foster parents receive a modest, tax-free stipend to offset the costs of clothing, food and school supplies. The rates vary greatly from state to state, from $300 to $1,000 a month.

[For more on this story by WLA Guest, go to https://witnessla.com/foster-p...nals-in-some-states/]

Add Comment

Comments (1)

Newest · Oldest · Popular

Christine Cissy WhiteIt's not trauma-informed unless it's informed by trauma survivors.

Super interesting article.

I think more money should go towards supporting families so kids do not end up in foster care. I think it’s interesting though that one organization said kids feel difference in relationships where money changes hand and when foster parents are paid. But yet. Professional carers in all social service settings are paid for work with kids.

Why don’t We have funds to support parents basic needs and decrease major stressors and inequities instead? We often punish parents, many who have a trauma history, and remove kids who often end in care that’s retraumatizing.

Then we say foster parents need extra supports and should be a career because kids come with so much trauma. The supports and funds are needed by families who have experienced or are experiencing trauma.

Plus, We need to train professionals not to punish people for poverty, a huge cause of reports to child welfare, especially for families of color. We have to deal with basic bias in our systems before solutions truly help people.

3/1/194:25 AM

Skip to main content

Add Comment

Membership Required

Remove From Your Block List

Manage Follow Preferences

Block

Please wait...