Foster Kids Need You!
As numbers of youth needing homes rises, the number of available home for foster care continues to fall. District of Columbia, St. Louis, Milwaukee and other areas report drastic drops in the numbers of licensed homes available for foster care. The Jim Casey Initiative says this places kids at risk of going into residential treatment, which is much more expensive option and puts some youth at risk of pyschological damage. African-American youth continue to be disproportionately represented in foster care and there is great need for homes to accomodate these youths' cultural perspective.
Foster parenting is challenging and may not be for everyone, but, there are other options for working with youth in care, too. States have different foster care requirements usually consisting of an initial training course as well as ongoing educational requirements. Use this link to find out more about foster parenting and working with youth in care.
Remember, these kids did not ask to be in foster care and need and deserve help from you and me!
Foster Kids used to test AIDS Drugs
On-line discussion in a class I'm taking brought this case to mind and I thought I'd share it. It certainly describes the dangers young people without advocates may face while in the foster care sytem. The Institute of Science in Society Website reports that over the past 20 years, the government funded anti-HIV drugs trials on hundreds of foster children ranging from infants to late teens. In many cases the experimentation was done without legal protection now required, and the children were exposed to risks of reserach serious side-effects of toxic drugs. The trials were conducted in at least seven states - Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Texas - and involving more than 48 studies run by top research institutions. Side effects reported include vomiting, rashes and rapid declines in their CD4 T-cells. Some children died during the studies, although state or city agencies could not find evidence that any of the children's deaths were caused by the experimental drugs. The children used in the experiments were disproportionately African-American and Hispanic.
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May is "Foster Care" Month!
The Foster Care Month Website reports recognition given during this month originated in 1988 when the National Foster Parent Association persuaded then Senator Strom Thurmond to introduce a resolution to proclaim May as National Foster Care Month. President George H.W. Bush issued an annual proclamation during each year of his presidency, providing an impetus for state, county and city proclamations. The main focus of these early efforts was appreciation and recognition of the tremendous contributions of foster parents across the nation.
In the 1990’s, Foster Care Month focused more on the needs of older youth, particularly those about to age out of the system. Under the leadership of the National Foster Care Coalition and Casey Family Programs, the campaign became a significant part of the drumbeat that ultimately resulted in the passage of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act.
Casey Family Programs continues to lead the effort in partnership with 14 national organizations that represent well-over 250,000 individuals and providers. Today, the campaign spotlights the importance of permanency for the 513,000 children in out-of-home care. We call on all Americans to do something positive that will change a lifetime for a youth in foster care in their own community.
For more information...
Foster Care Month
Want to mentor, volunteer or become a foster parent? To locate a local agency or child welfare organization...
Child Welfare
To find more information about the plight of some youth in foster care...
Child Welfare League of America
Don't forget to give a foster parent a special thanks and 'God Bless You' or hug a foster child this month!
