Children's Home Network的动态

CarePortal is transforming how we support children at risk, using technology to connect them with local communities ready to help. There are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system and this innovative platform has already transformed over 250,000 lives by preventing unnecessary foster care entries. Founded by Adrien Lewis, CarePortal was inspired by a vision to use technology to bridge the gap between children in crisis and local communities willing to help. They’ve become the Uber of care-sharing, from providing a bed to paying a bill, small acts are making a big difference. Each year, 7 million children come into contact with child protective services in the U.S. With a significant number in foster care, CarePortal addresses a critical gap, aiming to keep families together and children supported. Addressing the root cause: poverty, not abuse, leads most children into foster care. That’s why CarePortal empowers social workers and community volunteers to meet these needs directly, preventing the cycle from starting. The Stand Together and Care Portal partnership puts forward a category of “care-sharing” that creates an empowerment paradigm of local community members providing an enduring alternative to top-down solutions for social services. By unlocking this supply of care, the dependency and strain on public services can be reduced while improving the lives of individuals served on an immediate and long-term basis. Through locally-sourced and individualized care for neighbors in crisis, care can be shared with the intent of establishing lasting and meaningful connections. This empowers community members to provide care for specific needs and enables recipients to avoid lasting crises that could inhibit future developmental growth for the children. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eRvFsEta

Last month, California Department of Social Services released the most ambitious foster care reform program in a generation. At a time when budgets across state agencies are being slashed, California is investing an extra $1 billion each year in improving the lives of foster kids and I wholeheartedly support it. The proposal proposal is notable three main reasons: 1. It is data driven. By relying on CANS assessments instead of placement types, more money will flow to the young people who need it the most. 2. If enacted, EVERY young person in the foster care system will receive at least $500 per month just to be a kid. Piano lessons, basketball leagues, and trips to the bookstore are now within reach for all 50,000 of California's foster youth. 3. Critically, the rates provide an important bridge to matching funds from Medi-Cal for the children with the most acute needs, unlocking hundreds of millions in additional federal funds. No plan is perfect and I’m particularly wary of the implementation challenges. But the status quo isn’t acceptable and I applaud CDSS's bold stance on behalf of some of California’s most vulnerable kids.?

Foster care itself is only the middle of the story for children and families who experience the world of child welfare. To truly transform all the “not enoughs” of foster care in your community, the goal is more than enough for children and families before, during, and beyond foster care. Your community can make a tangible difference to help in the direction life takes for children and families at the end of the story – beyond foster care. For former foster youth, vulnerability extends long after they turn 18. As they enter adulthood, former foster youth have to navigate the effects of trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and disruptions to the usual rhythms of growing up. And for the approximately 20,000 youth who age out of foster care each year without ever experiencing permanency with a biological or adopted family, they face these obstacles without the relational and material safety net of family – increasing their vulnerability to experiences like homelessness and human trafficking. While most states offer extended foster care services for youth after they turn 18, young adults often need community and relational support to actually access these services. And youth on the verge of homelessness or other crises need more immediate, tangible help than what these benefits are designed to offer. The Body of Christ is uniquely equipped to provide this practical and relational support to help youth aging out of foster care. Check out the latest on the CAFO blog to explore effective models and approaches. https://lnkd.in/eCY7Fr_v

Exciting News from Mount Saint Vincent Foster Care! In addition to our traditional foster care services, we’re proud to announce the launch of our Therapeutic Foster Care Program. This comprehensive program offers specialized training and licensing for individuals who want to become therapeutic foster parents and provides ongoing, personalized support once a placement is made. How is therapeutic foster care different? It’s designed for children with moderate emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs, giving them the chance to thrive in a home setting with the extra care and support they need. Are you ready to make a difference? Here’s what you need to know: —Must be at least 21 years old —Secure housing and income required —Able to provide a safe, stable, and unconditionally supportive home environment for a child in crisis —Must reside in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, or Jefferson counties According to our Foster Care Manager, Bri Berens, the need for therapeutic foster care is great: “Many children are stuck in higher levels of care because there’s simply not enough availability in therapeutic foster care homes for them to step down to.” Mount Saint Vincent is now the 8th Child Placement Agency (CPA) in Colorado providing this much-needed service. Interested in learning more? If you missed our recent webinar, you can request an individual info session about traditional or therapeutic foster care by emailing?[email protected], calling 303-318-1825 or visiting?https://lnkd.in/gYV9vaau ?#FosterCare?#FosterParents?#TherapeuticFosterCare

With foster care awareness coming to an end, the reflection I offer is clear-- The "numbers" crisis might be subsiding but the "outcomes" crisis is not. Too many kids will still face uncertain futures and outcomes simply because of their experience in foster care. We need to change that. Thanks to the Phoenix Business Journal for amplifying the need to focus on changing the story of foster care, not just the numbers. You can read the full opinion here: https://lnkd.in/gxbq-pdF

In the U.S., children typically "age out" of the foster care system when they turn 18, though this can vary slightly by state. Some states have extended foster care programs, allowing young adults to remain in the system until age 21. Depending on their circumstances, and being enrolled in school, working, or receiving vocational training, these foster children had nowhere to go. This extension aims to provide additional support as they transition to adulthood, particularly in housing and education, crucial to gaining employment assistance. However, many youths still face challenges when they age out, such as housing insecurity and limited access to support systems. We understand this trend and it is a significant problem throughout the country. As of the most recent data (2022), there were approximately 391,000 children in foster care in the United States. The number of children in foster care can fluctuate year to year due to various factors, including family reunification, adoption, and new entries into care system.

In the world of foster care, misconceptions can often cloud the reality of the experience. A common question many prospective foster carers have is whether children in care can arrive at their door without any notice. Let's debunk this myth and explore the actual process of welcoming a child into your home.

As we mark Foster Care Week, it’s important to highlight the essential role foster carers and child protection professionals play in safeguarding our most vulnerable children. Having worked in the sector for quite some time you realise the value and need for foster carers. At a time when the demand for foster carers and skilled professionals in the sector continues to grow, the need for passionate, well-trained individuals has never been greater. Working in foster care and child protection requires a unique combination of empathy, problem-solving, and resilience—and we are actively seeking those with this blend of skills to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families. If you’re considering a career change or a step up in this sector, now is a crucial time to explore the opportunities available. There are many pathways into foster care work, whether you’re interested in direct caregiving, support roles, or the broader system of child protection. If you or someone you know is interested in contributing to this essential work, I’d love to chat about how you can be part of this life-changing sector. #FosterCareWeek #ChildProtection #CareersThatMatter

50% of the United States’ homeless population spent time in foster care, according to the National Foster Youth Institute (2024). This statistic reveals what child advocates already know. The traumatic experience of foster care sets kids up to struggle emotionally, physically, and academically. Trauma, abuse, and neglect harm a child's cognitive development, too. Youth in foster care end up with lower employment rates and college graduation rates than children who have not been in foster care. Source: National CASA/GAL Association, 2019. At CASA of Marion County, we help our kids beat the odds. And, we are getting results. 87% of teens assigned to a CASA year graduated on time this year, compared to the graduation rate of 49% for all foster youth statewide (based on 2023 data provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation). Our goal is to reach every child in foster care. We serve 105 out of 171 children in foster care. We need approximately 33 more CASA volunteers to reach those remaining children. Please understand that these numbers fluctuate as kids cycle in and out of the foster care system. We need courageous adults ready to change a child's story. Sign up today at https://lnkd.in/ggAvkxnv.

When you’re trying to find your place along the River, you may feel a bit overwhelmed at first. Foster care is a complex system here in Houston (and in other communities as well) with a wide variety of significant needs, so it can be tricky to navigate if you’re new to it. To add to the confusion, there are many misconceptions about what getting involved in this work truly looks like. If you allow yourself to believe misleading myths about what it means to support those who are in the foster care community, you may end up feeling intimidated and unsure of where to start. That’s why the first step on the path to becoming a support pillar for those in need is reflecting on the beliefs you currently hold about the foster care community and challenging those that may be myths so that you can move forward from a place of true understanding. Here are 5 myths about foster care that should be let go as you begin your journey: