On any given day in the United States, nearly 370,000 children are in the foster care system— in need of love, hope, and safety. With approximately 355,000 churches and congregations of the Christian faith in America, if one family from every church became foster parents, we could care for 95% of children in the child welfare system.
This difficult reality calls for a response—one that reflects the heart of 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (NIV)
During the month of May, we honor National Foster Care Month as we honor selfless foster parents, advocate for the needs of children in the welfare system, and celebrate stories of transformation in the lives of foster children.
The Need for Foster Care
A child may enter foster care for a number of reasons. The most common reason is neglect, which makes up 62% of cases. Other causes include parental drug use, abuse or maltreatment, or a guardian’s inability to care for a child.
Foster care is intended to provide a safe, temporary home while a permanent solution is determined. In most cases, approximately 46% of children exiting foster care, the solution is reunification, where parent(s) or guardian(s) complete specific steps to prove they can provide a safe and stable home for their children.
In other situations, children may be adopted into forever families through foster care, accounting for 27% of children exiting the system. However, in some heartbreaking situations, youth age out of the foster care system without a permanent home or family, often facing long-term instability. According to the most recent data from The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), 18,358 youth aged out of the foster care system in one year.
62
of foster care placement cases involve neglect
46
of children exiting foster care are reunified
27
of children exiting foster care are adopted
18352
youth aged out of foster care in 2022
The need for foster care originates from the painful reality of children experiencing unsafe situations; however, that reality just further emphasizes the importance of loving, stable foster homes.
It Takes a Village
Amy’s* journey to motherhood took an unconventional path when she decided to become a licensed foster parent as a single mom through One More Child. Initially, Amy imagined she would care for a younger child when she first became a foster parent, but when One More Child’s Foster Care staff recommended a match with 11-year-old Alison*, Amy accepted the challenge and welcomed the pre-teen into her home.
Our Foster Care team shared that Alison has trauma from her past involving men, which is why the team believed a match with a single mom would benefit her healing journey. In addition, she was behind in school, and the team knew that with Amy’s background in elementary education, she would be able to help Alison catch up in her education. Amy established a loving and safe home for Alison to learn, grow, and heal.
Amy’s church family also wrapped around this foster home, providing extra strength and support. They supplied meals, offered babysitting, prayed together, and more. This group also made an extra effort to help when Amy had to work nights or weekends as a single foster mom. This church family collectively answered the call to love and care for Amy and Alison.
After a few months in her new home with Amy, Alison has begun to thrive and has grown academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Although initially hesitant to go to church, she now embraces it and has made friends.
Foster parents like Amy are willing to care for older children, and communities like her church, which provide vital support, are true answers to prayer! With willing hearts and a devotion to unity in the body of Christ, we can provide foster children with safety, stability, and love in the name of Jesus.
Get Involved in Foster Care
Everyone can get involved in caring for foster children! One More Child offers four opportunities for YOU to make a difference in the lives of foster children.
- Sign up for our FREE Foster-Care: 101 video series. This six-part training series will equip you with knowledge to understand and get involved in foster care. This introduction to foster care covers everything from the basics of fostering to the extensive support network available to foster families. Viewers will learn about the requirements and qualifications for becoming a foster parent, the financial aspects of fostering, and the significant impact fostering can have on the lives of vulnerable children.
- Attend an info session. Every Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. EST, One More Child staff hosts an informational session for prospective foster parents. Topics covered include the length of time children stay in foster care, choosing the age of children to foster, financial support available, and how fostering with One More Child differs from other agencies.
- Apply to live in a Foster Family Home. Our innovative Foster Family Home model offers the opportunity for foster parents to live rent-free in homes maintained by One More Child. This model is designed to help sibling groups stay together and provide for large foster families in these multi-room, fully furnished homes.
- Become a foster parent. One More Child trains and licenses foster parents in the state of Florida. Our staff provides ongoing support and encouragement to our foster families. When you open your heart and home to foster children, you offer hope founded in the love of Jesus Christ.