Empowering Change: Understanding Foster Care vs. Institutional Care

1. FOSTER CARE: MODULE #1 An Alternative to Institutional Care

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES • Define the meaning of foster care. • Discuss differences between institutional care and foster care. • Describe issues with regarding attachment. • Discuss different types and levels of foster care. • Discuss the process of becoming a foster parent. • Participate in group activities.

3. GROUP EXERCISE #1 • Each participant will be provided with a colored wire cleaner. • Participants will be asked to shape the wire into a shape that best describes a childhood memory. • Participants will be asked to describe the shape and individual memory. • The group will discuss what it would be like not to have those memories.

4. INSTITUTIONAL CARE • A twenty-four-hour congregate care or residential facility in which a group of unrelated children live together cared for by a group of unrelated adults. Different types of institutions care for: • Dependent and neglect children • Physically handicapped children • Developmentally delayed children • Juvenile delinquent children • Emotionally disturbed children

5. INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT • Public institutions (orphanages) are typically developed under governmental auspices and are the most efficient method of dealing with large numbers of children impacted by a common malady (war, famine poverty, and AIDS). • Are institutions the most effective way of caring for children?

6. INSTITUTIONAL CARE

7. INSTITUTIONAL RISKS • Health: • Below normal weight and height; • Increased risk for opportunistic infection; and • Failure to thrive • Development: • Delays with fine motor, language and social skills; • Impaired psychosocial, emotional and behavioral functioning; and • Attachment and bonding problems

8. ATTACHMENT • Attachment – A bind or a tie with a care taker based upon the need for safety, security and protection. This bond is typically between a child and parent. When the bond between the child and care taker is disrupted or broken, it results in an attachment disorder.

9. ATTACHMENT DISORDER • Attachment Disorders – The inability to form appropriate bonds with the primary caretaker in early childhood. Some of the causes of attachment problems include: • Traumatic prenatal experience • Multiple separations and/or placements • Family history of mental disorders • Abuse and Neglect (physical, sexual, emotional) • Institutionalization

10. ATTACHMENT INDICATORS Early Childhood Late Childhood Inability to form lasting relationships Prone to violent outbursts Lack of conscience Affection avoidance Inability to control emotions Self harming behavior Separation anxiety • Persistent frequent tantrums • Resistance to being held • Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers • Cruelty to animals • Lack of empathy and remorse • Prefers isolation • Very rarely cries or cries too easily

11. “A poor home is often better than a good institution.” Henry Dwight Chapin, Pediatrician and Early Reformer of Institutional Care

12. FOSTER CARE DEFINED • A component of the child welfare system whereby children are removed from their homes due to allegations, or a risk, of abuse or neglect and placed in 24-hour substitute care. While the structure of foster care varies widely among and within each country, there are some general characteristics that apply to each.

13. U.S. FOSTER CARE HISTORY

14. FOSTER CARE FUNDING • Federal (Title IV-E) and State Funding • Uncapped reimbursement to States • Reimbursement rates varies greatly between states. • Inflexible funding structure. • Child welfare administration varies by states. • Foster Parents receive a per diem payment • Average per diem varies based upon the needs of the child. • Per diem ranges from $12.00 to $120.00.

15. INSTITUTION vs. FOSTER CARE • Group Identity • External Control • Being • Structured Activities • Rigidity • Residents • Tolerance • Group Focus • Stranger Love • Stimulation through Programs • Individuation • Internal Control • Belonging • Flexible Activities • Routine • Siblings • Affection • Individual Focus • Family Love • Stimulation through Relationships

16. SOME KEY CHARACTERISTICS • Foster Care as Temporary Care • Foster Parents are Licensed and Compensated • Foster Parents as Professional Partners • Governmental Agency Assumes Custody • Parents Retain their Parental Rights • Government/Private (NGO) Partnerships • Judicial Proceedings and Oversight

17. FOSTER CARE TERMINOLOGY • The term foster care has also been used to describe all out-of-home care settings, which includes: • Kinship Care • Respite Care • Pre-Adoption Placement • Guardianship • Legal Custody • Group Home Care • Shelter Care • Residential Care

18. BENEFITS OF FOSTER CARE • Allows children to remain in a home environment. • Allows siblings to remain together. • Allows children to attend community schools. • Allows children to experience family holidays and events. • Allows children to form appropriate social relationships. • Allows individualized attention.

19. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • What are the benefits of foster care? • What are the challenges of foster care? • Are there types of children who would most benefit from foster care? • Are there types of children who could easily transition to foster care? • Is there community support for foster care? • What resources are needed to develop foster care?