Children's Services Fund of Jackson County’s Post

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, an opportunity to advocate for the needs of children in care and empower them to reach their full potential. It's about ensuring they have access to essential services, educational opportunities, and the support they need to thrive. By investing in their well-being and development, we invest in the future of our communities. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference during Foster Care Awareness Month and beyond: •Support Foster Families: Offer assistance, encouragement, and resources to foster families in your community. •Advocate for Policy Changes: Advocate for policies that improve the foster care system and support children and families in need. •Volunteer: Volunteer your time with organizations that support children and youth in foster care, such as mentoring programs or advocacy groups. Let's honor the dedication of foster families and professionals who work tirelessly to make a positive difference in their lives. Together, we can build a brighter future for every child, ensuring they grow up in safe, loving, and supportive environments. #FosterCareAwarenessMonth #CelebrateFosterFamilies #EmpowerTheFuture

Did you know that up to 80% of kids in foster care who have siblings are separated from at least one of them? The bonds between siblings are incredibly important, yet the financial and logistical challenges of fostering multiple children often mean that siblings are placed apart. Keeping siblings together is essential for their emotional well-being and stability, but for many families, the resources to support multiple siblings in a single home are often limited. Care-Sharing makes what may have once seemed unfeasible more achievable, helping bridge that gap. That’s where CarePortal comes in. We empower the community to step in and provide the generosity and support that foster families need to keep siblings together. Whether it’s helping with the cost of additional beds, clothing, or other essentials, CarePortal makes it possible to preserve placements that would otherwise be out of reach. When the community connects, families thrive, and kids stay with the ones they love. Together, we can make keeping siblings together a reality. 🧡 #FosterCare #CarePortal #CommunitySupport #ConnectionChangesEverything

**🌟 Open Your Heart, Open Your Home 🌟** Every year, thousands of children enter foster care in need of safety, stability, and unconditional love. Over 6,000 children in our communities across Alabama are looking for a safe place to call home. As leaders and changemakers in our community, we often use our skills to build connections, create hope, and foster growth. Imagine what those same skills could mean to a child in need—a child who longs for support, guidance, and care during one of the most challenging times in their life. Could your heart, your home, and your unique talents help change a life? Fostering isn’t just about giving a child a roof over their head; it’s about giving them unconditional love and a chance to heal, grow, and thrive. It’s about being the person who says, *“You matter, and you belong.”* Take a moment to talk with your family and support system about this life-changing opportunity. Ask yourselves: - How can we offer safety, stability, and love to a child in need? - How could fostering change not only their life but ours too? If you’re ready to learn more or take the first step, we’re here to walk this journey with you. Together, we can help children in foster care find the love and support they deserve. 💖 **Learn more today and be the reason a child feels safe tomorrow.** Call 334-271-2402 or TEXT 251-625-7636 today to start TIPS classes in your area! #FosterCare #OpenYourHeart #ChangeALife

Help children in foster care navigate the holiday season with care and compassion by providing a supportive and understanding environment. Here are three things foster children need this time of year: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Foster children often thrive in environments that provide stability and a sense of routine. The holiday season can bring disruptions to their normal schedules, which may lead to increased anxiety. Foster families can support these children by maintaining a consistent routine as much as possible, providing a sense of predictability and security during a potentially hectic time. 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 The holidays can stir up complex emotions for foster children, including feelings of loss, longing, or heightened stress. Foster families must offer emotional support and understanding during this time. Creating an open and non-judgmental space for children to express their feelings can be immensely beneficial. Foster parents should be prepared to listen, validate emotions, and offer reassurance as needed. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Foster children may have unique cultural backgrounds or family traditions, and the holidays can be an opportunity to celebrate and embrace diversity. Foster families can create inclusive and meaningful celebrations that respect and incorporate the child's background and preferences. Involving them in holiday preparations, such as decorating, cooking, or choosing activities, can empower them to actively participate in the festivities and feel a sense of belonging. #satorifoster #ontariofosteragency #fosterchildren

Our journey as foster carers hasn’t always been easy. The challenges have been real—helping children overcome past traumas, building trust where it’s been broken, and navigating the emotional highs and lows that come with fostering. Each child brought their own story, often filled with pain, uncertainty, or fear, and it took time, patience, and determination to help them feel safe and secure. There were moments of doubt—wondering if we were doing enough or saying the right things. Balancing the needs of those in our care while maintaining our own strength as a couple was another test, but through it all, we leaned on each other and grew stronger together. Some days were heartbreaking, seeing a child struggle to believe in themselves, saying goodbye when it was time for them to move on, or facing systems that didn’t always make things easy. Yet every challenge reminded us why we chose this path—to make a difference, no matter how small. It’s been a privilege to still be part of their story and to watch them step into a brighter future—one that is so much better with them in it. Could you be a foster carer or a Shared Lives carer and help change someone’s future? #FosterCare #SharedLives #ChangingLives #MakeADifference #BrightFutures #NurtureAndSupport #FosteringJourney #CouldYouBeACarer

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to open our hearts and minds to the experiences of over 400,000 foster children across the nation. These children, often moving from home to home, frequently carry more than just the physical burden of their belongings in nondescript and undignified trash bags—they carry the emotional and psychological weight of uncertainty, loss, and upheaval. Foster children are disproportionately affected by challenges such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They may struggle academically and socially, often as a direct result of their unstable environments and the trauma they’ve endured. Each transition can feel like yet another layer of instability in their already tumultuous lives. This is why #MyBagMyStory was founded, a compassionate nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no child has to pack their life into a trash bag. With every stylish, durable bag sold, another is donated to a foster child. These bags are not just practical; they are symbols of respect, care, and the belief that these children deserve better. We can all play a part in supporting these resilient young individuals. Here’s how you can help: - **Educate yourself and others** about the unique challenges faced by foster children. - **Support foster families** and organizations by volunteering your time or resources. - **Advocate** for better policies and support systems for foster children and their families. - **Contribute to organizations like My Bag My Story**, which provide both immediate needs and long-term support to foster children. This Foster Care Awareness Month, join us in making a tangible difference. Visit our website www.myBagmystory.com to purchase a bag for yourself or as a gift, and automatically donate a second bag to a child in need. Together, we can end the cycle of the trash bag and give foster children something they can call their own—a symbol of hope, dignity, and the knowledge that someone cares. #FosterCareAwarenessMonth #FosterCare #FosterKids

Why? When asked, the most common answer given by foster parents who have chosen not to continue fostering is lack of support. And truly, we get it. The work of stepping into the gap to parent someone else's children (while fighting a system with its fair share of struggles) is not for the faint of heart, it takes a Village. Foster Village bridges this gap between those experiencing foster care and those who want to help, meeting practical needs and providing holistic support beyond the system. By caring for the caregivers and mobilizing an engaged community, we empower generations of vulnerable children and families to overcome adversity. The Archibald Project #supportnotjudgement #fostercareawareness

When we met Jack, he was living in a residential home. He’d been moved around the system before, from one place to another. Each move left its mark, making it harder for him to trust, harder for him to feel like he belonged anywhere. Jack’s story is heartbreaking and one we hear too often. Children like him are left wondering if anything in their lives will ever stay the same. Stability feels like a dream, not a reality. But every child deserves more than this. They deserve safety, consistency, and a chance to build relationships that last. To be a foster carer takes determination. You must stay the course, through the ups and downs, and truly want to make a difference. Having a strong team around the child and the carer is key—supporting each other, building a good working relationship, and staying on the same page. A social worker is vital in ensuring a child’s well-being. They must work closely with the foster carer, respecting each other and understanding the important role they both play in the child’s life. Clear communication, trust, and support are key to making it work. We had that for 10 years with Jack, and we succeeded. Jack now has his own family, and we are still part of their lives. Together, we gave Jack the stability and care he needed to thrive. 👉This is what every foster carer and child need’s today! #FosterCare #MakeADifference #ChildrensLivesMatter #StabilityForChildren #FosterCarerJourney #BuildingRelationships #HopeForTheFuture #ChangingLives #FosterCareSuccess #MoreThanASpareRoom #TrueStoryOfAFosterFamily

When children in foster care are placed with relatives or close family friends, the impact can be profound. Familiar surroundings offer them emotional stability, forming a stronger foundation for their future success.    Kinship care ensures a child remains connected to their community and cultural roots, enhancing their overall sense of belonging and wellbeing.    Caregivers—whether kinship or otherwise—play an essential role in nurturing and supporting children. But sustaining that care requires looking after your own wellbeing too. This #NationalKinshipCareMonth, we celebrate your dedication to child wellbeing and offer resources to help you prioritize your self-care: https://bit.ly/4gFDtUT   #ChildWellbeing #KinshipCareMonth #KinshipCare 

June is National Reunification Month, and this year, 47% of children experiencing foster care will reunite with their family this year. That's a fact worth CELEBRATING! 👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾 But while we celebrate, we also can't ignore the other side of it. Because today, in the United States, there are over 100,000 children and youth experiencing foster care who are waiting for permanency. For these children and youth, reunification is no longer the goal-- and instead, finding permanency in another way is. This can look like adoption, guardianship, or kinship care. But too often, it looks like being moved from home to home, from placement to placement, and experiencing disruption after disruption. It looks like being separated from siblings, moving school districts, and being unable to become fully involved in sports and clubs and youth groups and activities because a random move is always possible, and always anticipated. It looks like eating turkey at Thanksgiving with one family and waking up Christmas morning with a new one. For 100,000+ children and youth, that's their reality. A reality that needs changed. In order for us to make a change, we need to be the change. So let's be the change. #fosterthefamily #fosterthefamilyus #thisisfostercare #fostercare #fostercaresupport