Step Up Parents’ Post

The foster care system is overdue for reform, with myriad issues affecting the well-being of children in its care. Firstly, there’s a pressing need for improved screening and training of foster parents to ensure safe and nurturing environments. Additionally, better support services for both foster parents and children are essential, including mental health resources and educational assistance. Moreover, efforts should focus on reducing the over-reliance on group homes in favor of family-based placements whenever possible. Finally, systemic changes are needed to address disparities in the system, particularly for children of color. Overall, comprehensive reform is crucial to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children in foster care. #fostercare #family #unity #love #togetherness

The Impact of Trauma on Children in Foster Care: What You Need to Know Approximately 90% of children in foster care have experienced a traumatic event, with nearly half being exposed to four or more types of trauma. Emotional abuse (85%) and witnessing domestic violence (65.4%) are the most common types. Understanding and identifying the signs of trauma in children is essential to providing adequate support. Key signs include: 🔹 Behavioral changes: Aggression, withdrawal, or fearfulness 🔹 Emotional instability: Intense anxiety or frequent mood swings 🔹 Sleep disturbances: Nightmares or trouble sleeping 🔹 Physical complaints: Unexplained headaches or stomach aches Trauma-informed care can change the trajectory of a child's life, ensuring they receive the understanding and resources they need to heal and thrive. This is why MAGIC has supported programs and services such as Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) training, camps, and therapy sessions for foster and adoptive families.  #traumainformedcare #fostercare #mentalhealthsupport #childwellbeing #fosteryouthcare #mentalhealthmatters #supportingfamilies #magiccommunity

At FosterWiki, we believe that the issue of Intergenerational Trauma should be a higher priority within foster care. Trauma in foster care does not occur in isolation; it permeates through generations. While it is easy to place blame on the parents of foster children, it is essential to recognise the trauma passed down through multiple generations. Increasing awareness, education, and understanding of this issue will lead to better outcomes and brighter futures for our children and young people. We are pleased to share that the NFCQ (National Foster Carers Qualifications) has incorporated the topic of intergenerational trauma into the Intermediate Qualification currently under development. For more information, please read our guidance on intergenerational trauma: https://lnkd.in/ek2_mfKM #fostercare #trauma

Engaging foster parents around decision-making and prioritizing kinship placements are two strategies to help children in foster care experience stable, quality foster parenting. Join us on June 18th as we discuss opportunities to improve retention of foster parents and improve the kin placement rate.➡️https://lnkd.in/exMYFWWj

While the number of children entering foster care has decreased overall in recent years, the number of children entering foster care due to parental substance use disorders has increased. Meanwhile, the number of children living with kinship caregivers — family members and chosen or fictive kin — also continues to grow. With these coinciding factors, what supports can benefit kinship caregivers in families affected by substance use disorder? https://bit.ly/3znjitp #ChildWelfare #SubstanceUseDisorder

Decades of research repeatedly confirms that children who cannot remain with their parents thrive when raised by relatives and close family friends. Children in foster care with relatives have more stable and safe childhoods than children in foster care with non-relatives, with a greater likelihood of a having a permanent home. They experience fewer school changes, have better behavioral and mental health outcomes, and report that they “always felt loved.” They keep their connections to their siblings, their family and community, and their cultural identity. Moreover, children in foster care with relatives are less likely to re-enter the foster care system after returning to their birth parents. If returning to their parents is not possible, relatives tend to be willing to adopt or become permanent guardians. #KinshipCare #ChildWelfare #Grandfamilies #KinshipCareMonth

Foster care holds the promise of providing nurturing homes for children in need, yet it often falls short of meeting its lofty goal. The foster care system was designed to offer children the chance to escape harmful environments and find safety and stability in loving homes. For many, it's a lifeline to a brighter future. However, the system is often overloaded, leading to insufficient resources and support for both foster parents and child. Many often experience multiple moves between foster homes, disrupting their sense of stability and security. These same youth will often face a myriad of challenges, from mental health issues stemming from trauma, to difficulties in forming lasting relationships due to frequent relocations. Aging out of the system can be particularly daunting, as many youth lack the necessary life skills and support networks to navigate adulthood successfully. Amidst the challenges and shortcomings of the foster care system, Life After Care (LAC) emerges as a beacon of hope, bridging the gap for youth transitioning out of care. LAC is dedicated to providing support, guidance, and resources to empower these resilient individuals as they navigate the complexities of adulthood. Together, we're building a community where every young person has the opportunity to thrive beyond foster care. Join LAC in our mission of empowerment and transformation for the youth we serve. #fostercareawareness #bridgingthegap #creatinganimpact #fostercare

https://lnkd.in/eTcWJ8Vz In this opinion piece by Sarah Anderson FosterWiki founder highlights several important issues that need to be addressed in the foster care system The reality is that foster care isn’t as good as it should be, and many children and young people have had negative experiences. We need to stop pretending it’s all perfect and face the real problems. Right now, the approach is often about just finding any available space for a child, without the proper support, which leads to placement breakdowns and more trauma 👉This instability can have serious long-term effects, such as homelessness, substance abuse, or mental health issues. 👉It’s clear we need to take the role of foster carers more seriously and provide them with better support to ensure children get the care and stability they deserve #FosterCare #SupportFosterCarers #SystemReform #FosterCareAwareness #CareLeavers #MentalHealth #ProtectOurChildren #EndHomelessness 👇

Supporting children who have experienced trauma can be challenging, but foster parents play a critical role in their recovery. Our latest article shares how foster parents can create safe, stable environments using a trauma-informed approach. Learn practical strategies like the PACE method (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) to help children heal, build trust, and feel empowered. Read the full article to discover how foster carers can impact a child's life. 🌟 #SocialCare #FosterCare #Trauma #Safeguarding

🤝 Foster Care and Birth Parent Interaction: What to Expect 🔍 We often receive questions about the role of Birth Parents in the Foster Care process. Understanding these dynamics is key to fostering a supportive environment for the child. 💛 As a Foster Parent, will you be required to interact with Birth Parents? The simple answer is, it depends. Many Foster Care situations involve some level of interaction, often coordinated and supervised, to facilitate the child’s relationship with their Birth Family. 🙏 This is because maintaining connections can be crucial for a child's emotional well-being. However, if these interactions are deemed harmful to the child in any way, this may not be the case. 💭 To learn more about Foster Care, including the process of becoming a Foster Family, please contact us today. We are here to help every step of the way! 🏡 #LoftusVergariAndAssociates #LVA #Family #FosterCare #BirthParents #Info