In January 2008, Los Angeles County had 23,368 children in placement because their parents abused or neglected them. Until recent years, it was believed that foster homes could adequately meet the needs of children who were unable to safely return to the homes of their birth families. This is no longer the case. Over the past few years, the pendulum has swung dramatically and child welfare professionals have increasingly recognized the benefits of not moving children and now place a tremendous priority on finding permanency for children. Fost/adopt parents (those parents who are willing to provide both short-term and permanent care) are now viewed as the most valuable resource for the children and are looked to first when the Department of Children and Family Services is looking for an adoptive home.
There are huge benefits for children adopted by their fost/adopt parent(s). The biggest benefit being that they do not have to “start over” and try to settle in, once again, with a new family. Staying in the same placement saves the child from losing all that is familiar, both people and things, i.e. siblings, school, pets, friends, church, extracurricular activities, their bedroom, toys, etc. Further, since it is the fost/adopt family who most likely has been meeting the needs and caring for the child during visits with the child’s birth family, the fost/adopt family is the best able to help the child remember important people from their past and maintain important connections where appropriate.
There are also substantial benefits to the fost/adopt parents themselves. Fost/adopt parents have a greater knowledge of a child’s experiences prior to adoption and know what behaviors they may expect from the child. Fost/adopt parents usually have fewer fantasies and fears about the child’s birth family, often because they have met and see them as real people. Finally, fost/adopt parents have a greater understanding of their role and relationship through working with their agency and social worker (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2005).
Fost/adopt families who decide to pursue adoption should get as much information as possible from their Foster Family Agency to best ensure a smooth transition for the child and for themselves. Nothing could be more rewarding then providing a permanent home to a child in need.
For further information about foster parenting or becoming a foster or fost/adopt parent, please contact Robin Monroe, M.A., Certification Coordinator at Inner Circle Foster Care & Adoption Services, 7120 Hayvenhurst, Suite 204 in Van Nuys.
For more information, please call 818-988-6300, ext 212 or email robinm@fosterfamily.org .