Do you think people become foster parents just for the money?
Fascinating to see so many foster parents saying ‘NO, foster parents do not foster just for the money’. I was an ACTUAL foster kid, not a foster parent… and YES many people DO become foster parents JUST for the money.That WAS My Experience, REPEATEDLY. And, depending upon the situation, they CAN make, what for them, is considered quite a bit of money, without even leaving their home!I went through several home placements where I was not even spoken too, or looked at… where they didn't bother to learn my name… where the food was kept locked up, and we were fed rice or pasta, or anything else that would only cost them a few cents… where we weren’t provided with toothpaste, or shampoo, never mind actual clothes…I was in several placements where the homeowner was only getting a small amount of disability as an income, and was therefore supplementing their income, by taking in, and completely neglecting, foster kids!!!Fostering is known, within certain economic populations, to be a fairly easy, and quite common way, for people who have room, and very little income, who can be approved due to having no criminal history, to supplement their income, without having to procure employment!And, the money they receive does not count as ‘Income’ for them, so they maintain their ability to collect public benefits.So, YES, it Does Happen.It is nice to see so many foster parents on here who are making it clear to everyone that they Aren’t doing that… But, the ones who ARE, wouldn’t Admit It, right? So, take from a Former Foster CHILD… It totally happens, and it is NOT Uncommon.(Edit: I also WORKED for them, endlessly, for no money… I was their Free house cleaner, baby sitter, dog walker, cook, gardener, and errand runner… And, I wasn’t even legally old enough to have an actual job! I worked like a slave. It was Child Slave Labor.)
Can a 19 year old stay in a foster home?
A foster family can arrange privately with the aging out teen to continue living there as they wish. There are often Independent Living funds that can help pay some sort of rent, and that is reasonable after 18 (we do that for our bio/adopted kids as well).Most importantly, I hope foster parents and aging out teens understand that one doesn't stop needing a family just because they turn 18. We all need family relationships for life to be there for weddings, funerals, graduations, and other big and small life events. While foster teens often choose to leave the home and experience freedom (like any other ypung adult), I encourage all involved to stay in touch and connected for life.
Are there any resources for children in the foster care system after they turn 18?
One resource that is available Nationwide is the Independent Living Skills program. This is a federally funded program and is available in all 50 states and all of the territories.another resource that is available is federal funding for college or an accredited technical school. This is on the FAFSA where you are not asked about your parental resources if you were in foster care. Again this is available nationwide.Many states have an Extended Foster Care system that gives the young adult some kind of stipend. Each state administers this differently so check with the CPS office in your state.As a social worker half of my current caseload is over 18 and I struggle when they turn 21 and have to leave. But ILS will be going to 23. Also a big one is that foster kids in many states get medicaid until they are 26. this is a big deal.Hope this helps
Any reason not to adopt foster children?
There is NO reason not to adopt foster children who are legally free. 60% -70% of children in foster care return to their biological parents. Many of these children are in foster care for an average of less than 2 years. They stay in foster care while their biological parents work to get better by getting jobs, going to substance abuse treatment, getting mental health counseling, taking parenting classes, etc. Once the judge has decided that the biological parents have done what they were told to do and it is safe, the foster children are returned to their parents. However, there are MANY children whose biological parents have their parental rights terminated and can be adopted. When there is severe abuse (which is defined by the state), abandonment, or parents go to prison, parental rights can be terminated quickly. When parents do not make progress or do what the judge tells them, parental rights can start to be terminated after a child has been in foster care for 15 months (of 22 consecutive months). Once rights are terminated, children become legally free...and can and should be adopted. In most cases, the foster parents who are caring for a child, have first rights to adoption of that child. It cost very little to adopt children from foster care. Usually a couple thousand dollars. Sometimes, older children can be adopted for free. Also, in some cases, the state will continue to pay money to the adoptive parents to raise the child, similar to the money paid to foster parents.
Now please, tell me, what is right about the foster care system?
In a report from the Inspector General of the US Dept of Health and Human Services, some findings: At least one fire or health deficiency was found in 40 of the 48 homes reviewed. In 28 of the 48 homes, no record could be found to prove that required criminal background checks had been made. The report described some foster homes as filled with trash. Look at the numbers of foster children among the homeless and prison populations, we see that either close to or more than 50% of those populations came from foster care. ============================ Why do our foster children not progress as other children in the community? Why can't they get (and keep) jobs? Why can't they take care of themselves medically? Why can't they manage, buy food, and pay for medical services? The reason is simple: We do not treat foster children the same as other children. For example, we have laws that prohibit foster children from having more than $1000 dollars in assets so, while they are in care, they cannot save money to support themselves. That is a Federal law Since kids are on federal medicaid, they are less likely to get their health needs met. Since so few doctors, therapists, and other healthcare providers take Medicaid, foster kids can wait weeks to months for services. Foster parents sometimes have to pay out of their pockets for emergencies. At 18, they are thrown out on their own.
What happens to the kids that never get adopted?
It's sad really. In some states at 18 they provide first months rent and then leave them to figure it out on their own. Some states provide up to 3 months. The only way the government helps with college is if you graduate high school prior to aging out. Over 40% of the foster children who age out in America end up homeless. Only 20 % graduate high school with a diploma or GED and only 27% of those go on to college. Our government does nothing to protect these children once they age out. If they are lucky they know someone who can tell them how to get food assistance so they don't starve.