The foster care system offers care that the children in our communities need. As Christians, we should be the most passionate and concerned for these children, many of whom need our mercy and care. The foster care system exists because the need is real.
- The foster care system, although helping thousands of children each year, occasionally fails. The case this week in Largo, Florida, of a two-year-old boy who was murdered by his mother is a poignant reminder this week this the foster care system is imperfect. Jordan Belliveau, the young murder victim, stayed with Sam and Juliet Warren in foster care from January 2017 to May 31 of this year, at which time he was returned to his mother, Charisse Stinson, following a court order. He was returned despite objections from his guardian ad-litem, who acts as a child advocate. [1, 2, 3] This story emphasizes the need for the foster care system, highlights the imperfections within it, and crushes the hearts of everyone who reads this story.This story emphasizes the need for the foster care system, highlights the imperfections within it, and crushes the hearts of everyone who reads this story. Share on X
- A child in foster care refers to a minor who has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a “foster parent” or with a family member approved by the state. The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. [4]
- According to the most recent report, there are nearly 440,000 children in foster care in the United States, with nearly 120,000 children waiting for adoption. Of these children, there are slightly more boys than girls. Over half the children in foster care are under 8 years old, with some as old as twenty-one. Just over 30% of children in foster care live in a relative’s home, 45% live in a non-relative’s home, and 12% live in a group home or institution. Half the children have been placed in the foster care system for less than 13 months, with the average time for all children under two years (20 months). White children make up 44% of the children in foster care, with Black or African American at 23% and Hispanic (of any race) at 21%. Of those children waiting for adoption, half of them have been in foster care just over two years. There are nearly 25,000 teenagers waiting for adoption. [5]According to the most recent report, there are nearly 440,000 children in foster care in the United States, with nearly 120,000 children waiting for adoption. Share on X
- Why are they in foster care? Children and teens enter foster care through no fault of their own, because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and are unable to continue living safely with their families, usually because the family is going through some crisis. The vast majority enter in the foster care system through court order. By law, children are to have contact with their families on a consistent basis. [6]
- What is a foster parent? What is a group home? “Foster parents are relatives or other adults who step up to care for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They try to provide children as much caring and normalcy as possible. Some children in foster care don’t live with foster families. They live in group settings, sometimes called congregate care, with several or many other foster children. This includes group homes, where a group of foster children live together with staff members who work in shifts (who are sometime called “house parents”); shelters; residential treatment centers and other non-family living situations. [7]
- What is the goal of foster care? The goal for a child in the foster care system is usually reunification with the birthfamily, but may be changed to adoption when this is seen as in the child’s best interest. The goal of the foster parent is to provide a safe, caring, normal family setting as possible in the home. The more stable a foster parent’s home can be, the better results for the children. [8, 9]
- Do you get paid to foster? Technically, no. Foster parents are reimbursed for their expenses through a daily rate. Rates vary by state and average about $25 per day. Depending upon the special circumstances, rates vary drastically. In addition, health care provisions between the foster family and the governmental agency in charge of the placement vary as well. [10]
- Understanding Adoption – for the Christian. For the Christ-follower, no one should understand adoption and the need for family more than you. Paul makes it clear, before Christ, you were “without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). You had no family. You had no God. But in Christ, “you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph 2:19). Paul so eloquently rejoices over our adoption: “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph 1:5). Therefore, the Christian, more than any other person on the planet, should be passionate about foster care and adoption.For the Christ-follower, no one should understand adoption and the need for family more than you. The Christian, more than any other person on the planet, should be passionate about foster care and adoption. Share on X
- Foster Care fulfills the commandment to love. Without any question, all Christians should desire to participate in loving these children with needs. Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:38). Furthermore, James identifies true religion as: “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The reality is this: the need is enormous. There are approximately 350,000 evangelical churches in America. The question for each of us is this: What are we doing to help those in need? There are many seasons in life. For you, right now, how can you help those in need in this season? You may not be able to provide foster care, but, hopefully, you can do something to serve those who do. [11]The question for each of us is this: What are we doing to help those in need? Share on X
Helpful Resources:
Planning for Adoption
Ideas for the Church: First Comes Love, Then Comes Adoption
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