Before my friend adopted her daughter, she had quite a tussle with the Department of Family Services (DFS). At one point they wanted to fly the then 10-year-old girl to stay with her father in Las Vegas. Reuniting a young girl with her father might have been a good idea in some situations, but the father, whom the girl had never met, was a known trafficker. Because of my friend’s advocacy this never happened, and her now-adopted daughter was never endangered. Any mandate to return children to their biological parents without confidently verifying the safety of that environment is negligent.
I know my state is not the only one in need of an overhaul of its foster care system. So, let’s take a look at some possibilities to support reform for the 425,000 children living in foster care across the United States.
One Example of Positive Change
In California, a small study was done where exploited youth received $3,000 of flex funds they could use towards unmet needs. These funds could go for things like self-care, extra groceries, or transportation. One youth needed extra money to fund tutoring. Another wanted to have family attend her graduation, so this money was used for that purpose.
What did they find in this study? Flexible funds gave youth an increased sense of independence and helped them feel empowered to make their own choices. In addition, this same study had the teen identify an adult with whom they felt safe. The adult became someone they could go to if life was unsettled in their foster home. This helped children to not run away (or return to trafficking) but go to a place of safety. At the same time, it gave the regular caregiver a break as well. So, win-win.
The Gap
Right now, nationwide there is a large gap between need and homes. Currently there are 57 homes available for every 100 foster children. Alex Adams, when he was the head of Idaho’s state health agency, changed that state’s ratio of 74 foster homes per 100 kids to 104 homes for every 100 children. This is terrific news for youth in Idaho. Now as the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Children and Families, he hopes to increase available foster homes nationwide.
Melania Trump is advocating for foster care children herself, spearheading an initiative called Fostering the Future. Recently, she spoke before Congress.
“Beginning here in this room,” she said, “we can once again change people’s lives. With new legislation, we can ensure that opportunity is more than hopeful for individuals in the foster care community—it can be their birthright.”
In addition, President Trump has signed an executive order giving foster kids economic opportunities and more access to technology and science. On April 30th of this year, he also established the month of May as National Foster Care month.
HHS seeks to strengthen families by nudging states to provide substance abuse prevention and mental health support for parents. If at all possible, and if the home is a safe environment, it’s great to keep kids with their biological family, but ONLY when it is safe to do so.
Adams also would like to make it easier for couples to become licensed foster parents by deregulating the licensing process. He also wants to encourage “kinship care,” care by a relative or another trusted adult who has a healthy relationship with the child.
Finally, he wants to increase partnerships with faith-based groups. Adams says it this way:
“… if every house of worship in the United States had just one family come forward and foster, our ratio of homes to kids would be 4:1, and we would have homes waiting on kids, not kids waiting on homes.”
Street Grace
If you happen to live in Georgia or Tennessee, Street Grace has a terrific support system for at-risk and exploited youth. Their direct services involve anything from emergency response, screening, and case management to coordination of services. They operate a 24-hour hotline 1-833-Free-2-Be (1-833-373-3223). Their care coordinators follow youth all the way through recovery to where they can live successful and healthy lives. These case managers become more like a supportive family member showing up for birthdays, graduations, and other milestones. So far, Street Grace has provided 91,000 services to individuals and children. Woohoo!
Foster Care Prayers
We call in a mighty move of redemption to the foster care system. Let creative ideas fuel new ways of seeing how to nurture the lives of children. Let many would-be foster families come forth and receive training in trauma care. Show them how to specifically meet the needs of those they are fostering. Let there be plenty of homes for kids that need it, like in Idaho.
May kids go to Christian homes where there are a mom and a dad with a healthy relationship. Help those couples struggling with addiction or mental health issues, so kids can ultimately stay with their parents.
We thank you for groups like Street Grace, who are compassionately caring for youth. Prosper their work. Give them stamina and grace to stay the course. Let these case workers feel the wind of your Spirit at their backs and guide them in wisdom and understanding. Let your hand of favor be on each recipient to know they are loved and have a purpose in this life.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Decree
The children are coming to you, Jesus, unhindered, and you will wrap your arms around them to bless them. Matthew 19:14 and Mark 10:16