Help a Foster Child

There are more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, and more than 16,000 in Ohio. 1,000 of those children age out of foster care every year in Ohio without a place to call home.

All kind of kids from all kinds of parts of the country, all races, all religions, and all socioeconomic backgrounds. Children enter foster care through no fault of their own.  Children may be in foster care for many reasons. Mostly due to abuse or neglect from their caregivers, or loss of a parent.  

Statistics on Youth Aging Out of Foster Care According to Casey Family Programs, about 25,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 21 must leave foster care each year. These young people have experienced maltreatment and have lived with instability. So it will probably come as no surprise that they are often ill prepared to suddenly live independently and figure out on their own how to do what the foster care system was set up to do for them—feed, clothe, and house them. Aging out of foster care without a permanent home is the highest-risk outcome for a foster youth. Let’s take a look at some statistics: • Approximately 25% of former foster youth nationwide reported that they had been homeless within 2 to 4 years of exiting foster care. (National Alliance to End Homelessness). • Foster youth approach the transition to adulthood with significant educational deficits: o They are 14 times more likely not to complete college than the general population (Chapin Hall Midwest Study). o They are more than twice as likely not to have a high school diploma or GED as their peers (Chapin Hall Midwest Study). • About 25% of foster care alumni experience post-traumatic stress (compared to 4% of the general population) (Northwest Foster Care Alumni Survey). • The unemployment rate among foster care alumni was 47% (Chapin Hall Midwest Study). • Youth in the system receive healthcare through Medicaid and are at risk of losing this coverage once they age out of care; only half of young adults leaving care have medical insurance (Chapin Hall Midwest Study). • Thirty percent of youth participating in the Midwest Study reported being arrested; 15% reported being convicted of a crime; and 29% reported being incarcerated (Chapin Hall Midwest Study at Age 21).

You can help in many ways, you do not have to be a foster parent to help kids in foster care. Becoming a foster parent is a meaningful commitment. If you aren’t sure if fostering is for you, aren’t ready to begin the process, or are interested in supporting youth in care in other ways, there are plenty of ways to do so.

Donate needed items or monetary donations.

Volunteer your time.

Spread the Word   (Follow reputable organization on social media and share the content.

If you are planning to give resources, be sure to call your local agency to make sure they can use what you’re offering or ask them what they currently need. Most agencies lack storage space to hold onto items that they can’t immediately distribute. That phone call could also open a door to other ideas to meet your specific community’s needs.

Different Ages have different needs. These are some options for all ages. These items may not need to be new and likely can be hand me downs that your family as outgrown or replaced.

Encouragement and Emotional Support (Notes or Cards or Volunteering)

Bedding (Sheets, Pillows and Pillow Cases)

Luggage (Suitcases or Athletic Bags)

Backpacks

School Supplies

Snacks

Games (Board, Card, Electronics)

Holiday Decorations

Birthday or Graduation Gifts

Household Items

Job Opportunity

There are many ways to volunteer. If you do not know where to start you may want to start here: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: https://www.bbbs.org/faqs-for-bigs/

CASA (Court appointed Special Advocates for Children: https://www.ohiocasa.org/volunteer/what-casa-volunteers-do/

If you are considering Fostering or Adopting, there are a lot of organizations that can help. If you do not know where to start, a good place would be your county Department of Jobs and Family. Here is Ohio County directory: https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/ohio-childcare-needs/service-provider-directory

All State Information: https://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/ and Ohio Information: https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/ohio-childcare-needs/service-provider-directory