U.S. foster care population continues to decline
by ARA
May 06, 2012 | 28860 views | 0 0 comments | 405 405 recommendations | email to a friend | print
U.S. foster care population continues to decline

(ARA) - Malik, 14, wears a smile from ear-to-ear when recounting how he and his brother Matthew, 12, went from two of the world's millions of waiting children to become the adoptive sons of Kyle and Petra Ray one August morning three years ago. "During our court date to finalize our adoption, I remember asking my dad, 'Is mom crying because she's happy?'" Malik says.



There are more than 400,000 children in foster care across the United States, according to the most recent report released by AFCARS (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System). This is a sobering number. The encouraging news is that this number continues to decline - down more than 8 percent from 2008, and nearly 30 percent from 1999, when there were nearly 570,000 foster children.



One primary reason for that decrease is the implementation of proactive social service programs such as Safe Families for Children (SFFC), a ministry committed to keeping kids out of the foster care system, preventing child abuse, supporting pregnant and parenting teens and strengthening families. Safe Families for Children enlists host families to provide temporary care for children whose parents are experiencing personal difficulties so that they can work through their troubles without having to place their children in foster care.



"Over the past several years, the SFFC ministry has seen substantial growth across the country," says Dr. David Anderson, founder and executive director of SFFC. "The ministry has been embraced throughout the communities in which it serves, with local residents and organizations - including many churches - stepping up to help families in crisis. It's truly remarkable to see the difference SFFC can have on keeping families together and children out of foster care."



Family preservation professionals, such as Bill Blacquiere, president of Bethany Christian Services, know that while the decade-long decrease in the number of children in foster care is a positive sign, there's still plenty of work left to be done.



"Last year, more than 254,000 children were placed in foster care, so our work is far from over," Blacquiere says. "Family preservation and social service agencies like Bethany must continue to lead in raising public awareness and do a better job of recruiting families, community organizations and local businesses committed to supporting the country's most vulnerable children."



More than 40 percent of foster children end up abusing drugs and alcohol, 40 percent turn to crime, and up to 10 percent give up hope and commit suicide, according to Bethany.



For more information on foster children, visit www.Bethany.org.
Share This Free article |
report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.