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.

Sending Parents Down the Righteous Path

BAANK's parenting program, the Righteous Path, is officially off the ground. Our class for single moms was approved last month by the state, and we have begun to find facilitators to teach the class in various locations in Sarasota. Faith-based parenting skills are arguably what is most needed in order to prevent and stop child abuse and neglect, and churches are often on the front lines in bringing the power of the gospel to parents and children in their communities. We are excited that God has thus far blessed these efforts. However, it's only a drop in the pail, and much more is needed.

Here is what is needed to get families started down the Righteous Path:

Churches that are willing to lend their facilities for parenting classes.

In these cases, a facilitator from outside the church will be brought in to teach the class using the church's building. This is extremely important because we would like the classes to be taught in various of parts of town so that people who have been court-mandated to take parenting classes can get to them easily.

Facilitators.

Do you or someone in your church have a keen interest in parenting? Can you think of someone from your church who has accreditation in the social services or social sciences field and meets our requirements for being a parenting class facilitator? Tell them about BAANK's parenting program. This is a volunteer position, so only an Associate's degree is needed. For all you know, this may be just the sort of thing they were looking for.

Churches that want to start a parenting ministry.

In these cases, a church can develop their own parenting classes with BAANK's help with the state approval process. In accordance with state standards, the church can also have their own facilitators. If this is the sort of program you would like to build in your church but don't know how, we can help.

Parents who can benefit from a parenting class.

That's every parent! Despite the stigma they have, parenting classes are not just for "bad" parents. They are for every parent who wants to interact and deal with their child(ren) in a way that is going to send them down a good path in life. Our classes are open to people who both have and have not been court mandated, and people are encouraged to attend regardless of religious preference.

If you have an interest in any of the above—or if you have any questions—please contact Rod Myers.

Parenting Class Facilitators Needed

Now that BAANK has helped to establish the possibility of court-approved, faith-based parenting classes—and has helped to formulate the standards for these classes—the next challenge is to find facilitators who meet the prescribed qualifications. Here are the facilitator qualifications:

• Associate Degree (minimum) in a subject related to social services, with at least two years of direct working experience with children and families at risk for abuse and neglect. Waivers may be granted for equivalent training or experience (determined by the Parenting Curriculum Review Committee).
• The facilitator must be trained in indicators of child abuse and neglect and trauma informed care (provided through BAANK).
• The facilitator must have group facilitation training (provided by BAANK).
• The facilitator must have a minimum of eight continuing education/training hours related to parenting, child abuse, and/or trauma informed care.
• The facilitator will have random Parent Skills Program evaluations.

Now the task is to find people within the faith community who have these qualifications and are willing to be trained to facilitate these much needed classes. Our churches are filled with such people, and their talents, training, and experience could be put to wonderful use in training the next generation of parents.

Why is this important? First, the number one deterrent to child abuse and neglect are parents who understand their task in raising children and are given the skills to do so. Second, parents who are at risk need to be among people who can provide continued support and encouragement to raise their children in a healthy environment. Thirdly, who better to train parents than people of faith who are given the principles of truth and righteousness to place these children on The Righteous Path?

We call our parenting imitative The Righteous Path because righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Won’t you inquire about volunteering as a parenting facilitator? Contact us.