Be There for Kids: Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent
More than 25,000 children and youth are currently in foster care throughout New England. In Maryland, another 10,000 children are being raised in state custody. Although thousands of foster and pre-adoptive parents are caring for these children, there still are not enough licensed foster and adoptive homes for all the children and youth in foster care. We need families like yours to give these youth the experiences of belonging and permanence they deserve.
Children commonly enter foster care, and may require adoptive families, because of parental neglect, abandonment, exposure to drugs and alcohol, and physical and sexual abuse. Some children enter foster care when no relatives are able to care for the child, a parent dies, or when the family is not equipped to handle their complicated special needs. Through no fault of the children, a state agency removed the children from their birth families and assumed temporary responsibility for their well-being. Youth in foster care and those available for adoption range in age from birth to 18 years of age, and may be part of a sibling group or may even be teen parents. Typically, more boys than girls are in foster care. Children and youth of all races, cultures, religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations enter foster care. What they all share is a need for family. Discover the many ways a youth in foster care can be connected to family.
Casey Kids
The children who come to Casey have had difficult lives – frequently including abuse or neglect, separation from their birth families, previous foster care placements, and other hurts and losses.
Despite the pain and challenges they’ve experienced, these children and youth are inspiring. Many of these youngsters display a resiliency that encourages others to cheer them on in life. These children want to have the experiences other youngsters have – joining Scouts, attending church, playing sports, listening to music, learning to cook, taking the SATs, or going camping. Being part of a family can make all of these childhood dreams possible.
Most youth in care are school age, and come from a range of ethnic and racial backgrounds. Many have significant connections to their birth families, and those connections must be respected and supported. Some don’t make friends easily. Some have problems learning, and may have trouble getting along with parents and teachers. Others may experience depression or require treatment for mental health concerns. But they are all kids and need the same things all kids need.
Casey staff members are happy to talk with you and answer your questions. Call us today at 888.799.KIDS (5437) today or request more information online.
Learn More
- Learn how to become a foster or adoptive parent with Casey Family Services.