CARE-fully Packed

What is Foster Care?

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Foster Care is the state-run system created to accommodate children who are unable to safely live with their biological parents, typically due to abuse or neglect. It is designed to protect the children temporarily while their biological family stabilizes enough for the children to return home. In reality, however, this does not always happen.

What is the Foster Care Crisis?

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The foster care system has notoriously been labeled “broken” for as long as it has been in existence, but today it is facing what could be the most severe crisis in its history. 

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With too many children lingering in the system and not enough families getting the children out, the hundreds of thousands of children in foster care endure innumerable injustices; they are routinely disregarded, misconstrued, and made helpless. These children are the most vulnerable members of our society, and there is virtually no advocating on their behalf.

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The standard, grueling journey through foster care begins promptly on day one when the children are removed from their abusive homes and placed into the system completely empty-handed. After this move, only a mere trash bag is typically provided for the children to pack and carry their belongings. This degrading treatment is appalling for children blameless for their circumstances. It is not uncommon for children to be further traumatized in the foster care system due to repeated upheavals, sibling separation, unfit foster families, etc.

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In addition, there is a severe shortage of safe and loving homes available to children in foster care, often forcing case workers to desperately try to accommodate the children anywhere. For example, in March of 2017, “the number of children who stayed in an office, hotel, shelter or other living arrangement for two or more nights increased to 65” according to the Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins. The situation is even worsening, as “in the first seven months of the state fiscal year, there were 314 children who spent two or more nights a month in such impromptu housing, he said. That's more than in the entire previous fiscal year — 305, according to records kept by The Dallas Morning News” (Excerpt from article written by Robert. T. Garrett in The Dallas Morning News). These subpar emergency placements occur because CPS workers cannot find the children any other suitable places to stay.

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Together, we can eliminate the inequities existent in foster care by coming forward for these children, whether its through raising awareness in your community, contributing financially, or opening your home to a child in need of love and stability! 

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Will you consider opening your heart to save a child?