Editor’s note: This commentary is by Kim Stevens, who is a member of the board of Voices for Vermont’s Children.
Family. It’s something most of have, many of us take for granted, and at least a few of us complain about to friends and colleagues. But family is also at the emotional and biological core of our society. Families give us life, care for us when we are vulnerable, and provide love and support through challenges big and small. As an adoptive parent, I know firsthand how much family matters for young people who have had to enter foster care.
Unfortunately, too many children and teens today don’t have this fundamental element in their lives. These young people can’t live safely with their birth parents right now, and need someone else to care for them. There are more than 400,000 children in foster care. More than one in seven experiences a group placement while in the system. One in three teenagers in care is in a group setting, rather than a family. More than 111,000 children are currently waiting for an adoptive family. Many are desperately hoping they can leave care — or avoid care at all — by going to live with a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or other relative. It’s time for us to do more to ensure that all children have the family they need and deserve.
Research has shown that supporting kinship, foster and adoptive families enables children to heal from past trauma, helps keep families together, and improves outcomes for all.
November is Adoption Month and it’s a great time to remind our community that there are families who will care for children who can’t remain at home. We simply have to invest in the right practices and policies to find and support these families. For my family, support groups, training, respite, and mental health treatment made all the difference. Our children had experienced trauma in their early lives; trauma that we needed to understand in order to help them grow and thrive.
Parents like me throughout Vermont need support to help their children thrive. Abuse, neglect, trauma and loss can affect children’s behaviors, mental health, and ability to attach. Children and youth in out-of-home care are at increased risk for physical and mental health disorders and disabilities. But research has shown that supporting kinship, foster and adoptive families enables children to heal from past trauma, helps keep families together, and improves outcomes for all.
Finding and supporting families for children isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the fiscally prudent thing to do. Group care can be seven to 10 times as expensive as family foster care. Research has shown that each adoption from foster care can save as much as $235,000 in government funds. And placing children with relatives instead of in foster care saves at least 4 billion taxpayer dollars each year.
This month, and every month, we need to ensure that our state and federal governments do all they can to invest in recruiting, developing and supporting families for children who need them. The child welfare system must be dedicated to ensuring that every child has a safe, loving family.
