All Foster Care is Not Created Equal
Research shows that young people in foster care are far more likely to endure homelessness, poverty, compromised health, unemployment and incarceration after they leave the foster care system.
- 54 % earn a high school diploma
- 2% earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 84% become parents too soon, exposing their children to a repeated cycle of neglect and abuse
- 51% are unemployed
- 30% have no health insurance
- 25% experience homelessness
- 30% receive public assistance
While our Angels babies receive the best and most comprehensive care, this isn’t true for most children in traditional foster care.
Their Health Isn’t a Priority
Studies from the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics raise many concerns about children entering foster care with chronic health, developmental, and psychiatric disorders. The high numbers reflect the neglect and abuse they experienced, in addition to the trauma of being separated from their parents.
More disturbing, however, is the evidence that their health is often neglected while in foster care.
The U.S. General Accounting office found “young foster children do not receive adequate preventive health care while in placement, many significant problems go undetected, or, when diagnosed are not evaluated and treated.”
It is our responsibility to address the health care needs of this very high-risk group.
Too Many Don’t Survive
At least 30 children died in foster care in our county between 2000-2007, according to data collected by The Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law and The San Diego Union-Tribune. Statewide, at least 65 deaths occurred in foster care in 2006 alone. Broad confidentiality laws shield everyone, including foster parents, from exposure; therefore hiding the actual number of children who die while in care.
An Overcrowded System
Because there are so many displaced and neglected children in need of foster care, and so few families to provide for them, most foster homes are overcrowded with up to six foster children.
On July 1st, 2006, there were 78,278 children in the foster care system in California. Of those children, 31% were under the age of 5.
An average foster baby will live in three different homes before his first birthday. On average, a child will remain in foster care for 26.6 months.
This revolving door of care puts children at risk for Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), which leads to a lifetime of disrupted relationships.
* All Information from www.fostercaremonth.org
