Many people want to foster younger children, but the need for the older kids is far greater. Here’s why you should open your home to a teen.
When Cayuga Centers’ foster home licensors meet potential foster parents, they expect certain questions and comments.
Naturally, one of the most popular things foster parents ask is about the types of children they can foster. They want to know about their backgrounds and how old the children will be.
Many prospective foster parents ask if they can foster a baby or young child. However, these young children are not always the kids that need the most care.
A different level of care
Technically, foster parents at Cayuga Centers can foster a child of almost any age. Realistically though? The kids needing the most care are older, typically children from 5-18 years old.
Cayuga Centers provides Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC). Most youth in this program have experienced some sort of trauma and are in need of higher levels of care. Our foster parents undergo special trauma-informed training and our staff works with the biological family to make the home safe so the foster youth can return.
Teens in the U.S. foster care system
Youth ages 13 and above comprise about 28% of the nearly 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. There is a myth that many of these kids are “trouble-makers,” but the reality is the opposite.
Behavioral problems lead to the removal of only 7% of all children in foster care. Instead, the adults in their lives have failed them in some way, resulting in the removal of the vast majority of kids.
The need for foster parents
Each year, the system receives over 200,000 foster children, and non-relative foster parents take in the majority (45%) of them.
Clearly, the need for foster parents, especially those that foster teens, is there. However, some parents are hesitant to take the plunge when it comes to fostering older youth.
Rather than think of all the reasons you wouldn’t foster a teen, why not reframe that and look at the positives? Ask yourself: What is really holding me back?
Why should you foster a teen?
Children of any age have their own set of challenges. For example, a baby or toddler can’t communicate their needs yet. A crying baby might send you to the doctor only to find out they were just teething. It’s just a reality – babies and small children require more direct day-to-day supervision and assistance.
Teenagers, on the other hand, are more independent. Although they might need reminders to help with the dishes or pick up that sock that’s been on the floor for a week, they are able to help with household chores. Unlike a baby, they are also able to tell you how they are feeling or what’s troubling them.
If you are willing to try fostering both ages, choosing to foster sibling groups is a great option. Authorities often remove more than one child from a home. Fostering siblings allows for a wider age range and provides stability within the group.
Still not convinced?
We get it. Committing to foster any child, no matter the age, is a complicated decision.
There are a few different strategies you can take to help you decide. One option is to volunteer to work with youth. Odds are, non-profit organizations in your area are looking for people to help. Touch base with local sports leagues, youth groups, or teen centers in your community.
Second, if you have decided to foster but are new to opening your home to teenagers, try a respite placement. Respite care is a short-term placement, usually lasting a few days or weeks. These homes aren’t just for teens – respite foster care homes are needed for all ages.
Third, reach out to us! If you have more questions or concerns, our licensors are prepared to answer them. We have likely heard your question before, so let us know what you’re thinking!
Give teens a chance
All foster kids need a caring family to support them while their main caregivers work on getting their children home. By providing a loving home during this transition, you can help them pave the way to a successful adulthood.
When you open your home to a Cayuga Centers foster youth, you will have access to 24-hour on-call services and foster parent support groups. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a foster parent in your area.
