By Shayne Jervey, Senior Director of Programs at Cayuga Centers Delaware
I’ve been working in the foster care system since 2001. When I tell people about my work, I am almost immediately met with questions about opportunities to support babies in foster care or how to donate formula, diapers, and toys to young children in foster care.
Perhaps these questions are brought on due to the number of images and stories of young kids in foster care frequently circulated in the media. And while it is true that there are young children in need of loving homes, I’m frequently struck by how little attention is given to older youth and teenagers in the system.
When someone decides to become a foster parent, they often picture caring for a young child. However, we must remember that babies and young kids grow up—and many remain in foster care as teenagers.
Why are there so many teens in foster care?
Teens enter foster care at different stages of life for various reasons. Some enter the system as children and stay through adolescence; others enter the system as teenagers. It could be their first time in foster care, or they may have been in multiple placements or group homes throughout the years.
Teenagers account for a large number of those who need foster homes. Youth ages 13 and above comprise about 28% of the nearly 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system.
The reasons teens enter foster care are often beyond their control. According to the AFCARS Report, Only 8% of removals nationally involve a youth’s behavior, while over 60% involve neglect.
Who is there to support these teens’ emotional and social needs while simultaneously preparing them for adulthood?
The need for foster parents to foster teenagers
There are a limited number of foster homes available across the country – and that number is even smaller when it comes to families willing to take in teenagers. This fact is extremely disheartening, considering how vital it is to support teens on the cusp of adulthood.
Teenagers may have different needs than younger children, but they still need homes, care, and support. Having someone to guide them through life’s challenges and celebrate their achievements is crucial to their future success.
There are many foster care myths out there about fostering teens. Here are some common myths explained.
How Cayuga Centers helps teenagers through Treatment Family Foster Care
One of the things I am most proud of about our program is our focus on teenagers in foster care and supporting them as they enter adulthood.
As the Senior Director of Programs at Cayuga Centers Delaware, I am proud to lead a team that specializes in providing treatment level foster care, also known as therapeutic foster care, with homes specifically for teens and adolescents. The key to providing these homes is our dedicated foster parents.
Our foster parents play a vital role. They are patient, resilient, and caring. They open their homes to older youth who need guidance and stability – just as we needed as we were growing up.
In order to support teenagers in our program, Cayuga Centers has robust supports in place for foster parents. We work hard to train and be there for our foster parents so that they feel skilled and equipped to manage all the demands, and ups and downs that come with caring for teens.
Foster parents have the support of our entire treatment team – including a Youth Skills Coach and a Clinician – to support the emotional needs and development of the teen in their care. We also facilitate foster parent support groups so that they have additional support from their fellow foster parents. The team also supports youth if they are in the process of aging out of foster care.
Foster parents are the ones who do the work day in and day out. They are the ones who show up every day and who dig in and make that commitment. They do this hard work because they believe in their potential and that every teen deserves a home with parents rooting for them.
What we can learn from teenagers in care
Teens have a lot to learn from us, but we also have a lot to learn from them. There are a lot of moments of success when it comes to fostering adolescents, big and small.
Their successes—whether graduating high school, landing a first job, or passing a driver’s test—are deeply rewarding moments.
At first, it may be hard to see the impact that you make. However, as the young adults work through their trauma and grow, you will witness moments of transformation that make it all worthwhile.
Watching teenagers experience both failures and successes along the way can inspire us to keep going when life gets tough. No matter how old you are, you don’t outgrow the need for family, connection, belonging, stability, support, and guidance.
Why you should consider providing a home for a teenager in foster care
It takes just one person to change a teen’s life. At this stage in their young adult lives, building connections and a supportive network can set the foundation for a successful future. Having a supportive parental figure means having someone who believes not only in their current success but the future successes to come.
It’s essential not to overlook teenagers in foster care. While it’s natural to focus on babies and young children, teens need just as much love, guidance, and support – if not more.
If you’re considering fostering, especially a teenager, I encourage you to take the leap. Push past any fears—after all, we were all teenagers once. Considering how many children are in foster care in the U.S., being a foster parent can change lives. I firmly believe many people out there have exactly what these teens are searching for—and the ability to give it. So, jump in!
