With approximately 117,000 kids awaiting adoption in the U.S. foster care system, it is always a good time to bring awareness to the need for loving forever families to open their hearts and homes and change the lives of these vulnerable children and teens. This month is National Foster Care Month, and the theme is “Strengthening Minds. Uplifting Families.” This year’s theme aims to educate the public about taking a holistic approach to the mental and behavioral health of U.S. foster children.
After being traumatized by experiencing abuse and neglect, kids awaiting adoption face additional, unintended consequences while in the foster care system. Foster children and teens move an average of three times a year, preventing the opportunity to build consistent, loving relationships with caregivers. Moving often means changing schools, so they lose the support of caring teachers, the joy of friendships, and an estimated six months of academic progress for every school disruption. With so much loss, it is understandable that up to 80% of children in foster care have significant mental health issues compared to approx. 18-22% of their peers (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019).
Undoubtedly, children and youth in foster care urgently need their mental health needs prioritized, including access to the necessary healthcare and addressing the need for stable, loving relationships. For kids awaiting adoption in foster care, relational permanency is crucial to healing. At Building Arizona Families, we believe one of the most important components for healing from complex trauma is a loving, stable family and safe home providing the sense of family, belonging, and identity that foster children and youth urgently need.
Building Arizona Families offers convenient, informative online seminars if you live in Arizona and are interested in discovering more about U.S. kids awaiting adoption. You can find the most current schedule and RSVP on our Facebook page HERE or reach out directly to Ixcel Baca, Forever Families program manager, for information. Call Ixcel at (623) 696-9537 or e-mail her at [email protected]. You can also find additional foster child adoption information HERE.
Thank you for considering opening your heart and home to a foster child who urgently needs the love and healing that your safe and loving home provides. We look forward to serving you on your adoption journey!