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this might surprise you (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 5/10/05 8:29 PM ET
I'll start by admitting that I don't know how other states handle this problem, or if they have one at all. Perhaps this will make you want to find out.
Have you ever wondered what happens when there aren't enough foster homes for all the children who need them to be safe? Here's your answer: it's called "bouncing." Our office's placement department calls foster parents and asks them if they can have a child or two spend the night at their home. If they agree, a worker drives the child to the foster home, often after 10, sometimes well after midnight. The following morning, sometimes as early as 5am, often between 7 and 8, another worker picks the child up and drives them to school. Often the foster home and the school are nowhere near each other. The children who are too young for school are either taken to a "receiving center" or are stuck hanging out in our office all day. There, we improvise by buying them toys or hunting some down, and make them chef boyardee in the microwave.
Unpleasant, don't you think? What's worse, is that these children have already experienced such trauma in their lives by first being abused, and then taken from their parents and homes by a complete stranger. Now, they are shuttled from place to place, in the company of complete strangers who can't tell them where they'll sleep that night, or where mommy is.
Please consider being a foster parent. We don't care how fancy your home is, how much money you make, what your ethnicity or se#### orientation is, or how you vote. We only want a safe, loving, temporary home for a child who needs you very badly. You can specify how many you will take, their sex or age, or how "troubled" they are. You even get paid.
Give it some thought.
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Have you ever wondered what happens when there aren't enough foster homes for all the children who need them to be safe? Here's your answer: it's called "bouncing." Our office's placement department calls foster parents and asks them if they can have a child or two spend the night at their home. If they agree, a worker drives the child to the foster home, often after 10, sometimes well after midnight. The following morning, sometimes as early as 5am, often between 7 and 8, another worker picks the child up and drives them to school. Often the foster home and the school are nowhere near each other. The children who are too young for school are either taken to a "receiving center" or are stuck hanging out in our office all day. There, we improvise by buying them toys or hunting some down, and make them chef boyardee in the microwave.
Unpleasant, don't you think? What's worse, is that these children have already experienced such trauma in their lives by first being abused, and then taken from their parents and homes by a complete stranger. Now, they are shuttled from place to place, in the company of complete strangers who can't tell them where they'll sleep that night, or where mommy is.
Please consider being a foster parent. We don't care how fancy your home is, how much money you make, what your ethnicity or se#### orientation is, or how you vote. We only want a safe, loving, temporary home for a child who needs you very badly. You can specify how many you will take, their sex or age, or how "troubled" they are. You even get paid.
Give it some thought.
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Nikki Medved
My blog:
http://subversivesewer.wordpress.com
Visit my pro-sewing store!
http://www.cafeshops.com/sewingdiva
My blog:
http://subversivesewer.wordpress.com
Visit my pro-sewing store!
http://www.cafeshops.com/sewingdiva
Posted on: 5/10/05 8:39 PM ET
My DS attends a private school for special needs children which is connected to a group home. I know that some of my Dsis's foster kids were from group homes too. So, at least in California, there is another solution besides bouncing.
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Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com
If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
Posted on: 5/10/05 8:50 PM ET
As part of my job, I have recently learned some about the foster care experience. ONe thing I would like the mention is the growing movement to keep kids in their same schools, even as they change foster homes. Remaining in the same schools, no matter how far the commute, can help give a child the stability so lacking in their lives.
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Mina
Posted on: 5/10/05 9:49 PM ET
If you can't be a foster parent, you might consider making or giving tote bags or luggage for the foster kids. There is nothing more demeaning that carrying your few belongs around in a garbage bag.
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JanieV
Posted on: 5/11/05 2:52 PM ET
Wow, I didn't know that. My brother and I were raised in a foster home (the same one, together) from the time I was 3 and he was 8 months until adulthood. We still consider our "foster" family to be our "family" even though we could have contact with our biological family if we chose to. Clearly we were very, very fortunate!
Posted on: 5/11/05 3:56 PM ET
I can hardly bear to read what some children have to live through. Due to circumstances over which I have no control fostering is not an option at this time, I wish it were! What a way to make a difference in a child's life!
Susan
Susan
Posted on: 5/11/05 4:02 PM ET
Thats awful for these kids to be trucked around like that. You'd think there would be a group home or like a holding home they could stay at until they could get permanent placement. I would think Florida has more displaced kids than most other states. Its just hard to believe that the richest country in the world treats their kids like this.
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Penny
Fabric Mart Bundle Fabric sewn- 10.5 yds
Fabric Mart Bundle Fabric sewn- 10.5 yds
Posted on: 5/12/05 3:34 PM ET
Candy thanks for bringing this topic up. I think it's so important to consider if you can do this. My heart goes out to these poor little ones.
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Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
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