Foster Care is Funny

Topic Notes

The funny awkwardness of Foster Care

Ten Wrong (and Right) Ideas About Foster Care:

1. Myth: Kids in foster care are there because they are juvenile delinquents.

• This is rarely the case.
• Sometimes the parents have made bad choices.

2. Myth: Kids in foster care are so emotionally damaged there is nothing that can be done to fix them.

• Children in foster care have been wounded but not irreparably.
• Investing time in these kids can have a very positive effect on them.
• Healthy attachments are important for healing.
• God uses healthy homes to heal.

3. Myth: You have to be married to be a foster parent.

• This is false.
• There are a few requirements but it is possible to be single and a foster parent

4. Myth: You have no control over who comes into your home.

• You can tell the Social Workers what types of children you are able to care for.
• You can say no when Social Workers ask to place a child into your home.

5. Foster parents get too attached to foster kids.

• This is true, but a terrible reason to refuse to get involved
• There is opportunity for great healing
• What you are doing has eternal results!!

6. Myth: You have no rights as a foster parent

• DCF has a Bill of Rights for Foster Parents
  • You have the right to make decisions in connection with the child consistent with the limits and policies of DCF
  • You have the right to receive training
  • You have the right to receive financial reimbursement
  • You have the right to receive services to reach DCF personnel
  • You have the right to information known to DCF relevant to the care of the child
• More Information: Foster Parents’ Rights

7. It’s too painful

• This may be true, but it it is SO worth it.

8. It’s expensive

• Sure… but there are resources that can be provided for you.
• There is also joy in caring for a child in this way.

9. MYTH: After adoption the Biological family can get the kid back

• Not true!

10. MYTH: “The system is broken…”

• It seems messy and broken because it starts with messy and broken people.

Seven things you can do even if you don’t want to be a Foster Parent:

1. Pray for them. Find children at AdoptKids.org
2. Speak up for them. Tell others the importance or become a court appointed advocate (NationalCASA.org).
3. Provide financially. Give to the church where a portion goes to orphan causes, give to the BIC Spice program, provide for those who can do foster care or adopt, share in a child’s adoption fund (Reece’s Rainbow).
4. Support those who help orphans. Mow, baby sit, organize meals for foster parents. Have a shower for a family adopting a child of any age.
5. Become a foster parent. Adopt a child.
6. Mentor and care for them by forming a relationship with a foster/adopted children.
7. Support and care for birthparents who placed or are placing a child with an adoptive family.

Bible Contradiction

Is Revenge Acceptable?
Psalm 58:10-11 vs Proverbs 24:17-18

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