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Foster Care

A Foster Parent is an adult guardian taking care of a child or children separated by biological parents voluntarily or involuntarily. Voluntary Foster Care may be in circumstances where a parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child. For instance, a child may have behavioral problems requiring specialized treatment or the parent might have a problem which results in a temporary or permanent inability to care for the child(ren). Involuntary foster care may be implemented when a child is removed from the normal caregiver for his/her own safety.

According to the most recent statistics available, in the United States in 2002, 129,000 children were in foster care systems nationwide waiting to be adopted. These children found themselves in such a situation because their parents could no longer continue to provide their support for them. Moreover, when they age out of care usually at age 18, they are without permanent connections to families needed for their proper growth as adult.

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Requirements For Being Foster Parents
The requirements vary from state to state and so as the monetary benefits and other reimbursements, which foster parents receive for providing the best child care to the minors. Some states extend foster caring rights even to singles with or without biological children in their home.

In the United States, foster home licensing requirements vary from state to state but are generally overseen by the state's Department of "Social Services" or "Human Services" (in some states these departments are overseen by county, rather than state, government).

Philosophy Behind The Foster Care System
Foster care is intended to be a temporary living situation for children. The goal of foster care is to reunify with their parent or guardian or find another suitable permanent living arrangement. This may include an adoptive home, guardianship, or placement with a relative. At times, the bond that develops during foster care will lead to the foster parents adopting the child. In some instances, children may be placed in a long-term foster placement. For older adolescents, a foster care program may offer education and resources to prepare for a transition to independent living.

Children, unable to function in a foster home, usually due to behavioral problems stemming from child abuse and neglect, may placed in Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) or other such group homes meant to treat children with similar backgrounds. The focus of treatment in such facilities is to prepare the child for a return to a foster home, to an adoptive home, or to the biological parents when applicable. However, adoption of children who are considered a special need in foster care is an ongoing social problem.

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Recent United States Foster Care Legislation
On November 19, 1997, President Bill Clinton signed a new foster care law (The Adoption and Safe Families Act 1997, which dramatically reduced the time children are allowed to remain in foster care before being available for adoption. The new law requires state child welfare agencies to identify cases where "aggravated circumstances" make permanent separation of child from biological family the best option for the safety and well-being of the child. One of the main components of The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) is the imposition of time limits on reunification efforts. In the past, it was common for children to languish in care for years with no permanent living situation identified. They often were moved from placement to placement with no real plan for a permanent home. ASFA requires that state identify a permanent plan for children who enter foster care.

Foster Care Funding
The Federal government provides funds to States to administer child welfare programs. State grant programs have their own matching requirements and allocations, and all require that funds go to and be administered by State child welfare agencies, or in some programs, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations. In most states foster children are eligible for MEDICAID cards which cover medical, dental, and counseling services. Foster parents receive reimbursement for the child's food and clothing. Some states provide a clothing voucher at the time of the child's first placement. Others provide clothing vouchers at the beginning of each school year. Foster children have the same minimum health benefits as children in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Most Federal funds for AFDC and foster children's health care come through Federal Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act).

Aging Out of Foster Care
Children age-out of foster care at age 18 or when they graduate from high school, whichever happens first. This event is referred to as EMANCIPATION. Some maintain a continuing relationship with their foster families while others do not. Many face a difficult future when state and federal funding ends, and housing, food, and medical care stops.

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