Celebrate National Foster Care Month

By: Judy D. Sartain, Esq.

May is National Foster Care Month, a month set aside to bring attention to children in the Foster Care system and to promote the public to consider being a placement for a child in need.

2023 Federal Adoption Tax Credit

For adoptions finalized in 2023 the maximum credit will be $15,950 and the maximum credit will begin to be phased out when the adoptive parents’ Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for 2023 it’s greater than $239,230 and they will not be entitled to any credit if their MAGI is equal to or greater than $279,230 for 2023.

Currently in the United States, there are over 400,000 children in foster care, and in 2020, 213,964 children under the age of 18 entered into the foster care system.  In Georgia, the number of children in foster care increased from 7,671 in 2012 to 11,390 in 2022.  There are simply not enough resources available – as in foster care homes – to adequately care for the needs of foster children in Georgia.  Children of color are overrepresented in the foster care system, however, the number of available foster homes with foster parents of color is not nearly enough to meet the challenge.

Unfortunately, mental illness accounts for more and more children in foster care, partially as a result of prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol consumed by the mother during pregnancy.  Many children come into foster care as a result of trauma experienced in the home of their parent or parents, due to domestic violence, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or educational neglect.  These children require specialized treatment in order to heal from their trauma, and permanency in placement can provide positive impacts on children and youth in their resilience and long-term well-being. Although permanency in foster care is ideal for the benefit of the child, over 1/3^rd of foster children in Georgia have moved placements 2 or more times during their stay in foster care.  This can seriously affect a child’s mental health, and can contribute to Reactive Attachment Disorder, which is an inability of a child to form loving and lasting bonds with an adult – any adult.

Presently, around 48% of the children in foster care are reunified with their family of origin, which is the goal of the foster care system.  All too often, however, children in foster care languish there, despite updates in our laws and reforms to the foster care system itself.  Up to 40% of children in care are placed with relatives, which assists the already-burdened foster care community by relieving the incredible stress of too many children and not enough beds.  Teenaged children in foster care are especially hard to place in foster homes, along with siblings groups of three or more children.

The length of time that a child stays in foster care varies greatly with the need.  Some stay for just a few days, while others remain for months or years.  The average length of stay is approximately seven months.  Once a parent’s rights have been terminated by a court of law, an average of 26% of children who are legally free for adoption wait up to three years to be adopted, while 11% of children wait five or more years.  The older a child is, the harder that child is to place for adoption due to many foster parents desiring younger children.

One reason children leave foster care is because they “age out”.  Georgia provides an Independent Living Program where a foster child of 18 years or older can “sign themselves” back into the system so as to receive assistance for college, housing, health care and other needs.  Unfortunately, most teens who have been in foster care are not academically prepared for college or technical school, having not had the encouragement or emotional support of an invested adult to urge them to study hard and get good grades.  Once a child in foster care turns 18 years of age, 20% instantly become homeless.  Within 18 months of leaving the security of foster care, 40% of kids who have aged out of the system become homeless.  These young adults are at a higher risk of sex trafficking, drug abuse, pregnancy (which perpetuates the cycle of foster care for their children), incarceration, and prostitution.

Foster care is not for the faint of heart.  It has many challenges and those who think that foster parents are simply drawing a check in exchange for a bed in their home are mostly mistaken.  The best success stories that I have personally observed are those foster parents who come alongside the family of origin and mentor that young mother or mother and father in how to develop their parenting skills.  Most parents who lose custody of their children in foster care were never taught basic life skills such as budgeting, preparing nourishing meals, obtaining housing, filling out job applications.  The lack of these basic skills can be mentored by caring foster families who are committed to assist them and help them successfully reunify with their family of origin.  Also, when safe, retaining relationships with the family of origin, even after adoption, can be an incredibly healthy environment for a child to thrive and develop, seeing their legal parents connect with their biological parents and keep those family connections alive.  Of course, there are instances where keeping the lines of communication open between the biological family and an adoptive family is not safe for either the child or the adoptive parents, but when it can be facilitated, everyone wins.

If you are concerned about the future of Georgia, and of our nation, then seriously consider becoming a foster parent.  For our future lies in our children, and when our children have a solid foundation, our society is a much better place in which to live.  There are many organizations who work with foster parents in training and support and act as a liaison between those families and the Department of Family and Children Services.  Of course, the Department in your county of residence is the best place to start your foster care journey.  Free training is readily offered, and you will be invited to reach out to your neighbors and your family to come alongside you and support you by providing meals, respite care, connections for play dates, and to provide emotional support to you and your foster child as you take the exciting step into the rewarding world of foster care.

Currently in the United States, there are over 400,000 children in foster care, and in 2020, 213,964 children under the age of 18 entered into the foster care system. In Georgia, the number of children in foster care increased from 7,671 in 2012 to 11,390 in 2022. There are simply not enough resources available – as in foster care homes – to adequately care for the needs of foster children in Georgia. Children of color are overrepresented in the foster care system, however, the number of available foster homes with foster parents of color is not nearly enough to meet the challenge.
Unfortunately, mental illness accounts for more and more children in foster care, partially as a result of prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol consumed by the mother during pregnancy. Many children come into foster care as a result of trauma experienced in the home of their parent or parents, due to domestic violence, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or educational neglect. These children require specialized treatment in order to heal from their trauma, and permanency in placement can provide positive impacts on children and youth in their resilience and long-term well-being. Although permanency in foster care is ideal for the benefit of the child, over 1/3rd of foster children in Georgia have moved placements 2 or more times during their stay in foster care. This can seriously affect a child’s mental health, and can contribute to Reactive Attachment Disorder, which is an inability of a child to form loving and lasting bonds with an adult – any adult.
Presently, around 48% of the children in foster care are reunified with their family of origin, which is the goal of the foster care system. All too often, however, children in foster care languish there, despite updates in our laws and reforms to the foster care system itself. Up to 40% of children in care are placed with relatives, which assists the already-burdened foster care community by relieving the incredible stress of too many children and not enough beds. Teenaged children in foster care are especially hard to place in foster homes, along with siblings groups of three or more children.
The length of time that a child stays in foster care varies greatly with the need. Some stay for just a few days, while others remain for months or years. The average length of stay is approximately seven months. Once a parent’s rights have been terminated by a court of law, an average of 26% of children who are legally free for adoption wait up to three years to be adopted, while 11% of children wait five or more years. The older a child is, the harder that child is to place for adoption due to many foster parents desiring younger children.
One reason children leave foster care is because they “age out”. Georgia provides an Independent Living Program where a foster child of 18 years or older can “sign themselves” back into the system so as to receive assistance for college, housing, health care and other needs. Unfortunately, most teens who have been in foster care are not academically prepared for college or technical school, having not had the encouragement or emotional support of an invested adult to urge them to study hard and get good grades. Once a child in foster care turns 18 years of age, 20% instantly become homeless. Within 18 months of leaving the security of foster care, 40% of kids who have aged out of the system become homeless. These young adults are at a higher risk of sex trafficking, drug abuse, pregnancy (which perpetuates the cycle of foster care for their children), incarceration, and prostitution.
Foster care is not for the faint of heart. It has many challenges and those who think that foster parents are simply drawing a check in exchange for a bed in their home are mostly mistaken. The best success stories that I have personally observed are those foster parents who come alongside the family of origin and mentor that young mother or mother and father in how to develop their parenting skills. Most parents who lose custody of their children in foster care were never taught basic life skills such as budgeting, preparing nourishing meals, obtaining housing, filling out job applications. The lack of these basic skills can be mentored by caring foster families who are committed to assist them and help them successfully reunify with their family of origin. Also, when safe, retaining relationships with the family of origin, even after adoption, can be an incredibly healthy environment for a child to thrive and develop, seeing their legal parents connect with their biological parents and keep those family connections alive. Of course, there are instances where keeping the lines of communication open between the biological family and an adoptive family is not safe for either the child or the adoptive parents, but when it can be facilitated, everyone wins.
If you are concerned about the future of Georgia, and of our nation, then seriously consider becoming a foster parent. For our future lies in our children, and when our children have a solid foundation, our society is a much better place in which to live. There are many organizations who work with foster parents in training and support and act as a liaison between those families and the Department of Family and Children Services. Of course, the Department in your county of residence is the best place to start your foster care journey. Free training is readily offered, and you will be invited to reach out to your neighbors and your family to come alongside you and support you by providing meals, respite care, connections for play dates, and to provide emotional support to you and your foster child as you take the exciting step into the rewarding world of foster care.