Despite Bleak Outcomes for Most Foster Children, There Is Hope

Statistics don't look favorably upon foster children who have aged out of the system.

"According to national statistics provided by Arrow, 40 to 50 percent of [foster] children will never complete high school. Sixty-six percent of them will be homeless, go to jail or die within one year of leaving the foster care system at 18.

Arrow also said 80 percent of the prison population once was in foster care, and that girls in foster care are 600 percent more likely than the general population to become pregnant before the age of 21."

Source: Amarillo Globe-News

However, studies have found that adolescents in foster care who develop compassionate attitudes toward themselves and others have better resilience and mental health. Adolescents who engage in meaningful participation also seem to be more resilient.

Involvement in church or community service can provide both of these things for children and adolescents in foster care. Traits of psychological resilience also include self-understanding, strong social support, and faith—all of which can be found in a compassionate church environment.

Foster kids can connect with churches through BAANK's Operation Relaxation program (our a once-a-month foster parent night out), youth groups, or Sunday School. The Central Church of Christ recently hosted a VBS for foster kids during Operation Relaxation where the kids had an opportunity to hear a Bible story by watching a puppet show. Likewise, parents can connect through parenting classes that are provided through a church, or by church attendance.

Although sadly many foster children face a bleak future, there is hope for some futures to be bright by nurturing compassion and resilience through involvement in church and community service. Of course, the benefits of church involvement are not limited only to foster children, but there is no better environment in which to cultivate compassion, engage in meaningful participation, and gain useful tools for life.

Florida Baptist Children's Homes Makes Christian Foster Homes Possible

Back in 2005 a group of concerned Christian citizens in our area began to see Christian families leaving the foster care system in droves, while the number of children entering the system was at an all time high, the number of available foster homes was decreasing. These citizens formed the Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida and became dedicated to providing safe and loving homes for children. Their mission is to strive to give children a sense of family and hope for a future where they will be able to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. In keeping with this goal, Guardian Angels purchased property and began planning the development of foster care homes. With the help of Florida Baptist Children’s Home (FBCH) they have launched a new foster care program called Foster Family Homes. Residences in the Foster Family Homes ministry can serve up to six children and parents must be willing to take children of any age from infancy to age 17, allowing them to serve more children and keep siblings together.

This aspect of the program is unlike traditional foster care programs that are often able to place only one or two children in a home and allow parents to specify what ages of children they are willing to take. “Offering hurting children loving and Christian care in Foster Family Homes ministry gives them stability and a sense of belonging to a family,” said Charlie Cox, Vice President of Programs for FBCH. “It will absolutely bring comfort, security and hope to the lives of more children.” Just like regular foster parents, parents in the Foster Family Homes ministry pay for utilities and basic necessities for the children. Unlike regular foster parents, though, Foster Family Homes parents do not have to pay rent and many supplies are provided through donations and community support. “This is a huge advantage to parents who feel Christ’s calling to care for children but may lack the resources to do so,” said Kyle Luke, FBCH Panhandle Area Administrator.

The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes (FBCH) carefully screens and trains foster parents. We look for caring, Christian adults who will open up their home to a child, and where possible, to multiple children in order to provide them with the love, safety, and security that all children deserve. FBCH conducts a 10-week required training for prospective foster parents as well as providing on-going, hands-on assistance to foster parents as they serve. We use the same MAPP state-mandated curriculum to license our foster parents, and they could transfer anywhere else state-wide where MAPP is required and foster in a non-faith based organization. However, we view the principles expounded in MAPP from a Biblical perspective and filtered through the lens of our Christian faith. An example of this might be the way we view working with the offending parents. While it is true that they might have hurt or neglected their children, when safely possible we treat them with empathy and respect, extending grace, just like our Heavenly Father treats us. The principle of grace: that our Heavenly Father gives us what we need through His son Jesus Christ, and not what we deserve – death through our sin, enriches the understanding of what our foster parents must show and possess in dealing with the biological parents of the children in their care.

We view our mission as a God given responsibility, and believe God commands us to take care of the fatherless - James 1:27. The need for Christian foster homes has never been more extreme. In fact, current statistics provided by Sarasota's Safe Children Coalition illustrate that the need is paramount. The coalition, an umbrella organization with 49 licensed homes and 137 children in Manatee County, is among 128 foster homes serving 370 children in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties. They are among 7,500 foster children in the state, according to the Department of Children and Families.

If you feel led by the Lord into this rewarding ministry to children, please contact Maria Jackman, Family Support Counselor, at maria.jackman@fbchomes.org for more information. There are two upcoming orientations: March 16, 2013 for the Manasota foster homes, and March 19, 2013 for foster parent licensing information.

Written by Maria Jackman
Family Support Counselor, Florida Baptist Children's Homes (FBCH)

A Message from Safe Children Coalition on Becoming a Foster Parent

The Safe Children Coalition is looking for families in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who are able to provide safe, stable, nurturing homes for children in foster care due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. There isn’t one specific type of person that becomes a foster parent. Foster parents come from all races, economic backgrounds and religions. As a foster parent you experience a unique opportunity to shape and mold a life, to give true joy and happiness; there is no greater gift to provide a child.  For more information call the recruitment line at 1-866-661-5656 or visit our website http://www.safechildrencoalition.org/foster/

Kristen Kandel

Recruitment Specialist

YMCA/Safe Children Coalition

(941) 371-4799 Ext. 261

Christmas Charities: Be A Foster Angel Sponsor

With Thanksgiving upon us and November coming to a close soon, it's time to start looking for Christmas charities to give to. There are scores of worthy organizations that help needy children at Christmas. Through the Angel Sponsor program, you can donate unwrapped toys to the 12th District's most vulnerable children who may not otherwise have toys under the tree.

Dear Community Member,

You may have been an Angel Sponsor in the past and if so, you are probably aware of the Sarasota Family YMCA's many contributions to improve the lives of children and families in need. One of our biggest programs is the Safe Children Coalition. Monthly, the Safe Children Coalition serves close to 1,300 children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties who have been abused or neglected.

Every holiday season we rely upon the generosity of members of our communities to help us make the holiday season special for these vulnerable children. You or members of your organization can help by becoming a Foster Angel Sponsor. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference one child at a time. Our children would be especially thankful!

Please follow this link to our sponsor letter.

Sincerely,

The Angels Team

The Foster Angels Team
The Sarasota Y / Safe Children Coalition

What a great thought, that a needy child will excitedly open your gift at Christmas and ask who it's from: "Your Angel Sponsor!" Isn't that a way to feel loved! Please consider sponsoring a child this Christmas by donating toys through the Angel Sponsor program. We'll check in and post about other charities you can donate to as well.

Quality Time: Developing A Faith-Based Supervised Visitation Program

BAANK is on a committee which is in the beginning processes of developing a supervised visitation program, which we call Quality Time. Members of the Faith-Based Supervised Visitation Program (FBSVP) overseeing committee include people from Safe Children Coalition, Family Safety Alliance, BAANK (Believers Against Abuse and Neglect of Kids), Guardian ad Litem Program, Bridge a Life (A ministry of Bayside Community Church), and Judicial Overview. Guardian ad Litem is heading up the administration, and BAANK will be recruiting volunteers.

Supervised visitation is important for a number of reasons. Because it strengthens the bond between parent and child, it helps the parent(s) be motivated to complete court-mandated requirements, leads to more reunifications, and ensures a stronger parent-child relationship upon reunification. Supervised visitation is a crucial part of the process because reunification is a major goal of the Department of Children and Families, as well as of the families themselves.


From The Bradenton Herald:

"Overwhelming trauma children feel after separation from parents requires a lot more time during the first five-to-seven months of the case," said Milessa Dunlop, assistant director of the 12th Circuit's Guardian ad Litem program, adding that most cases last about a year. "This program creates more quality time for the family to bond, build, continue and promote strength in reunification. Once these kids go home and the court closes the case, they're stronger and healthier."

Judge Scott Brownell, who first voiced the concern about the urgent need for more supervised visitation between parents and children in foster care in the 12th Circuit, said,"When the children were living with the parents, there was contact every day, every morning, every night. How do we get as much of that back as possible while being affordable and safe?" His solution was to involve the faith community. According to Judge Brownell, the faith community shares the same passion for building and rebuilding strong families that people working in child welfare do, and would also be a good source of volunteers. And Milessa Dunlop of Guardian ad Litem saw another reason the faith community would be helpful: parents will meet other parents who could be positive role models on parenting.

So what makes it faith-based? Quality Time will be volunteer-driven, and these volunteers will be recruited by BAANK through faith-based organizations. We want to allow visitation to happen in more natural family and social settings rather than inside an institution. For example, parent and child can be together in a large gathering or public place, like a school event where the child is familiar with all the adults present. This tells the child that all the adults in his life are friends, not enemies, and offers more emotional security for him or her.

We are prayerful that this will be an effort that is effective at re-uniting children with their parents and getting parents on the right track. If you have any questions, you can contact Rod Myers or Milessa Dunlop of Guardian ad Litem. If you are interested in volunteering, call (941) 861-4875.

FFAPA Mini-Conference: Kids Having Fun!

On Saturday October 20th, the Florida Foster/Adoptive Parent Association hosted its annual mini-conference in Sarasota. BAANK took care of childcare at Sarasota Christian Church while their parents were at the conference, and boy did we have fun!

Operation Relaxation coordinator Judy Betts (right) with some volunteers

The kids loved the fire truck that came. A special thanks to the firemen who came and explained what all the instruments on the fire truck did and let each kid "drive" the truck!

The fireman explaining the fire truck to the kids

Wendy from Central Church of Christ came equipped with her Bricks4Kidz program, wherein kids do organized Lego activities. For the younger kids, she taped a paper plate on top of a motorized spinning Lego helicopter and let them create spin art!

Preschooler spin art created with a Lego helicopter

And the older kids got to build cool stuff.

Lego station for the older kids

Thank you, Wendy!

Randy from Dogs of Courage came and gave the kids a presentation with his dog, Top. He demonstrated for the kids that Top can resist temptation and obey his master, and the master can bring out his full potential and make him a champion dog. It's the same between us and God: God can train us to resist temptation and obey him, and he can make us into all we were meant to be! He also talked about how important it is to listen to our parents when they are trying to teach us right from wrong.

Dog trainer Randy with his dogs

The kids had a great time with us, and we with them. Thanks to Judy who organized it, and to all the volunteers who came out. See you next time!

Big Foster Event: Need Volunteers!

On Saturday October 20th the Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association is hosting a Sarasota Mini-Conference/Quarterly Meeting. Foster and adoptive parents from around the Suncoast will attend, and an estimated 100-125 children will need childcare. We have two churches that have gathered some volunteers for that day, but we could really use some extra hands!

BAANK regularly hosts Operation Relaxation for up to 50-60 children, but we want to offer services to more so that all can attend this important conference. If you are interested, please call. No training is necessary, but there will be a couple of minor hoops to jump through to get ready for that day.

You can read more on our website about the fun things we do with the kids at Operation Relaxation: puppets, crafts, and games!

Contact Rod Myers: (941) 374-1818

Why Not Become a Foster Parent?

The worst thought in a child's mind is not belonging anywhere. Foster care was an early 20th century solution to forgotten children in orphan institutions, and it has since become the primary vehicle for caring for children in need. Although it is not a perfect system, a family is still the best environment for a child.

Here in Florida, the need for foster parents is constant. The Florida Department of Children and Families hopes to recruit more than 1,200 foster parents this year to meet the needs of children in the system.

“Our need is to recruit foster homes for teens, infants, sibling groups, and of course we're always looking for homes for our adoptive children who are ten and older who are sometimes harder to adopt," Andrea Mertyris of the Safe Children Coalition told ABC News 7 in June.

MySuncoast.com ran an article in June highlighting the need for foster and adoptive parents in Florida.

Officials with the Department of Children and Families say finding foster parents isn't an easy task. It takes a very special person with a true calling to open their home to a child in need, but they say by raising awareness about fostering, maybe more people will realize they have what it takes.

Although hundreds of foster parents are recruited each year, DCF says that there are always more children in need than these homes can accomodate. Foster homes sometimes try to take in more children with a special waiver from the state, but that means we end up with a problem with few foster homes shouldering the burden of many children. The only thing that will solve this problem is more foster homes.

Why not become a foster parent?

Reason for Alarm: Abuse and Neglect in the 12th Circuit

What is happening to our children in the 12th Circuit of Florida (Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties)?

You sure you want to know? Knowledge requires action. Here are the facts:

In the 12th Circuit, almost 10,000 investigations of alleged abuse and neglect were conducted over the past 10 years. Picture each little boy or girl involved. How many were verified? Let’s look at the last 15 months: there have been over 1,800 verified findings of abuse and neglect just within our neighborhoods. Can we ever look up and down our streets the same way again?

So what happens to these children? In the current fiscal year (2011-2012), nearly 1,400 children have needed services from child welfare workers, with 854 in out-of-home care. Most live with friends and relatives, but over 300 lived in licensed foster care and group care homes.

Try not to get lost in the numbers. These are real children who exist in our community. They represent every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. Some enter the world and spend weeks in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, born with drug and/or alcohol addictions. Others are pre-teens or teens who suffer from physical, psychological and/or emotional abuse. All are victims of trauma. All have scars. All of them just want to be loved and feel secure. These children live in your neighborhood, go to your child’s school, and attend your churches.

The need never stops. About the same rate that children enter the system, they exit and others come in to take their places. For instance, in the current fiscal year, 675 children entered services and 731 exited. In one month (December 2011), over 100 children entered state care, most of them under the age of six. An army of workers are needed to care for these children. There are 69 authorized case managers overseen by Safe Children Coalition (SCC), a division of the YMCA and the lead agency for the Circuit. This does not account for the investigators, support services, volunteers, foster parents, grandparents, other relatives, or responsible friends.

But even the positives highlight the negatives. It's just as bad at the end of the day than when we started. We're not gaining ground. Over $24,000,000 has been allocated through the Department of Children and Families, a State of Florida agency—just for the 12th Circuit. Since 2005, almost 900 children have been adopted to forever families within the Circuit. On average, of the children who are removed from their homes and are then reunified with their families, 80% return home within 12 months. Currently, about 200 young people are being assisted in moving toward adult independence. These are good things, but they remind us that there is a deep problem that we have only just begun to alleviate.

Consider seriously this perspective: three children per day are verified as victims of abuse and neglect right here in our community. Pause a moment. Let that sink in: three per day...three per day. That’s three per day, every day. Day in and day out. Every month, every year. It never stops. And it’s getting worse.

But before you judge the parents, we have to try to understand the abusers as well as the children. What are the factors that cause these families to be at risk? Why have so many family structures broken down? What are we going to do to make a difference? This is the heart of what BAANK is trying to figure out.

(Thanks to Maureen Coble at Safe Children’s Coalition for the data found in this article.)