As we wrap up National Foster Care Month, we want to tackle probably the greatest myth of all — who are foster parents? Are they superheroes with superior patience and coping skills? Are they “just in it for the money”? Are they rich or poor? Just who are the foster parents in your neighborhood?
There is no one “look” that makes the perfect foster parent. And foster parents across the country represent a wide variety of social, educational, economic, and cultural backgrounds. But who ARE these people that open up their hearts and their homes to children in crisis? Who are these people who love and heal and believe that children deserve the safety net of a home when birth families are struggling?
Look closely; you might be surprised by who you see when you do.
Who Are the Foster Parents In Your Neighborhood?
According to the research, here’s a snapshot of the average foster parent in your neighborhood.
- Foster parents are primarily Caucasians, closely followed by African-Americans
- 63% are married
- 30% are single and female
- 3% are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)
- 50% have more than three children
- 70% have an education beyond a high school diploma
- 31% work full-time
How are Foster Parents Doing Financially?
Foster parents are neither rich nor poor. Like most of us, they fall somewhere in the wide range we call “the middle class.” However, typically, they tend to have income levels slightly lower than the general population of households with children.
- They have a mean income of about $56,000
- 25% of them have income well above the poverty level
- Only 15% fall below the poverty level
Foster Parents Can Do Hard Things
While foster parents are not superhuman, they do super things by caring for children from hard places with significant disabilities, trauma histories, or other special needs. Often they care for these kids while the birth families get back on their feet. Not infrequently, though, this care is for the long-term since those who foster are also the ones who typically adopt most of the children who are adopted through foster care.
Can you help a foster child find healing?
It’s also interesting to note that the majority of the foster care within the system is actively being provided by only 20-25% of the foster parents. We need more foster parents! Could one of them be you?
There you have it. The data shows that foster parents are pretty much the average Jo. Or Joe. We look at those numbers and see wide-open descriptions of a potential Mom or Dad. A description that could fit a good many of us.
Those same numbers reveal some glaring needs and gaps in the system. For example, the system needs LGBTQ+ parents who are willing and able to meet the needs of foster care youth who identify as LGBTQ+. Many states need more parents of color or Spanish-speaking foster families.
Do you have what it takes to fill one of those areas of need? Have you considered becoming a foster parent?
Sources: Foster Coalition, Foster Parents: Who Are They?; Children and Youth Services Review, Foster parent self-care: A conceptual model Image Credit: sean 808080
There is a family in my neighborhood that has been mistreating their children.
Im sorry to bring this up here.
Unfortunately i believe they are police officers. I heard the daughter refer to them as cops. I may be mistaken, But i believe this is the only reason when i called for a wellness check up by the local PD , they didnt even go in to check on the children. They just came over and said they didnt hear anything and for me to not go knocking on any doors.
It is known in the neighborhood that the couple there has two children. We never seen the childern playing outside. This morning about 3:00 i heard the father tell the daughter “you need to stop calling me that . Im not your dad. Shes not your mom”. this explains a lot of why i hear them doing the god aweful things they are doing. We live in a middle class neighborhood. a lot of retired folk. “The little girl keeps saying i’m sorry, mom. Please top doing this to me! Somethings wrong with you. please stop.” Its hard to hear. But not only i have heard something. Visitors have come to the house talking about hearing a little girl. I never told them about it. I cant get anyone to go there with me to check. Everyone is afraid to be wrong. But i’m not. I hope i am wrong. And i cant go another day without knowing the truth. Please help me help this little girl. Its been going on too long. I am open to there being something wrong with me as well. I am not okay with standing idly by.
I know that i could talk to a psychiatrist and work from that angle but i feel the quickest way to assuring the kids are alright is to check on them. Im okay with being embarrassed. I dont know where else to turn. If i had a friend in law enforcement i would call them. Please i await your response. This is utmost urgent.
We advise you to contact local law enforcement AND Child Protective Services, which is part of your child welfare agency. Report what you saw and heard to them.
Get the phone number for CPS and give it to your neighbors who have told you what they have heard and ask that they report it. Child Protective Service social workers are trained to handle situations like this.
You could also call the children’s local school to get insight or guidance.
It’s okay to make a pest of yourself if you legitimately think the children are being harmed.
Is there a Foster Home on Angela Drive in Clarksville, TN? Thank you.
Jen,
You should consider reaching out to your local department of children’s services to pursue training for foster care – to make sure there IS one in your neighborhood!