What Is Foster Care And Why Is It So Important?

Unless you personally know a foster family, or child or teenager taken into foster care, it’s hard to fully understand this vital need. For some, their knowledge comes from myths and misconceptions about foster parents and children that stem from television and movie depictions. For others, they only know of the heartbreaking statistics and never get to hear of the joys and triumphs that can follow fostering. 

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is foster care and why is it so important?” If you are simply curious and are considering becoming a foster parent, read on to learn more. 

What is foster care?

When a living environment or family situation becomes unsafe for a child or teenager, they are removed from their residence and placed into foster care. Sometimes, these youth are sent to group homes or residential care. Other times, they go to live with extended family members who are able to take temporary custody, or with outside volunteers who wish to serve as a foster family. These volunteers can make a world of difference and are desperately needed. According to the most recent statistical data from childwelfare.gov, there are an estimated 437,283 children in foster care.

What purpose does it serve?

The purpose of foster care is to provide a safe and stable home for children in need, where they can grow and develop without fear of abuse or neglect. In many cases, this can be a transition period that allows the biological parents time to resolve their struggles and get their lives back on track for the sake of their children. Foster parents play a vital role in this process, with the end goal being family reunification. Of course, there are times when reunification is not possible or in the best interest of the youth in foster care. In these cases, the goal is to find a forever home for the child or teenager through guardianship or facilitating adoption.

How does it work?

Some foster parents are available for urgent, emergency placements or short-term fostering. Others are open to becoming long-term foster families, and some have the intention of fostering to adopt. In any scenario, foster parents must complete training and certification before welcoming a child into their home. They can also expect the help and support of case managers and counselors through a licensed Child Welfare Agency like Camelot Care Centers, with options for therapeutic mentoring, respite care, and more. 

Why is foster care important?

Children end up in foster care through no fault of their own, and regardless of their history, they all can achieve individual successes and happiness in life with the proper care and guidance. But first, they need the chance to grow in a nurturing, loving family. Without volunteers, this may be impossible. When you become a foster parent, you ensure that children who enter foster care in your local area can remain in their schools and communities, and/or with their siblings, which helps to ease the disruption to their lives and gives them the opportunity to thrive instead of becoming a statistic. 

For more information on how to become a foster parent in the state of Illinois, contact Camelot Care Centers today.

Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency.