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Author: fostertreeadmin
Home Articles Posted by fostertreeadmin
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December 15, 2021

3 BIG THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FOSTER CARE

1. It can be inexpensive

Most people think adoption is expensive. But adopting from foster care typically costs much less than other types of adoption. Foster-to-adopt services are contracted through the state, so most traditional adoption costs are eliminated. The adoptive family primarily pays for the costs of the paperwork and attorney.

2. The average age is 8

When people generally think of adoption, they imagine adopting a newborn. When you adopt from foster care, the children range in age from toddlers to teenagers. The average age of children in foster care is 8.4 years old.

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3. There is no “typical” case

There are many misconceptions about children in foster care. But the truth is that children in foster care are just children in need of a loving, stable home. Some have brothers and sisters who desperately want to stay together. Some have special needs. Some have experienced more trauma than others. Every case is different. Each child has his or her own individual circumstances.

By fostertreeadmin
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Uncategorized
December 15, 2021

3 Powerful Truths in Scripture Foster Parents Must Know

1. It won’t be easy.

Jesus is not unclear about the implications of what it will mean to follow Him: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Very little in life that’s worth much of anything is easy. If what you are doing feels hard and overwhelming at times that doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong; it actually could mean you’re doing something very right. The road to redemption is paved with stones of suffering, and only the strongest allow themselves to be weakened by the cross they must carry along the way. That’s you, counted among the strongest. Continue to carry it, daily.

2. It will be worth it.

The Bible never promises that following Jesus will be easy; it does, however, absolutely guarantee that following Him will be worth it. Galatians 6:9 encourages us to “…not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Our hope is that our present struggles are not the end of the story, but simply the means to the greater glory that has been promised to us all through Jesus (Romans 8:18). The good news of the gospel in foster care is that, in the end, Jesus wins, even if along the way we wonder why we’re doing this and if we can handle it anymore. What you are doing is not in vain. Will it be hard? Absolutely. Will it be worth it? Most definitely. Do not give up in doing good.

 

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3. You can’t see everything.

At the core of foster care is a battle that goes largely unseen. We are not merely participating in a broken human story but in a fractured spiritual one as well. We may see signs, but not the whole; shadows, but not the substance of everything that’s really going on. It’s in that tension of the unseen that Scripture encourages us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) You are not merely changing the life of a child today but are altering the trajectory of a human soul forever. You may not see it now – you may not ever even see it in this lifetime – but what you are doing is of eternal significance. Fix your eyes there.

By fostertreeadmin
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Uncategorized
December 15, 2021

5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

1. SERVE A FOSTER FAMILY

Pick up a prescription. Clean a house. Mow a lawn. Drop off coffee. Chauffer kids. Fold laundry. Pick up milk. Make a meal. Buy diapers. Collect furniture. Share baby gear. Drive to visits. Ask the foster families in your life how they specifically and practically need help and volunteer to help!

2. VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR LOCAL AGENCY OR STATE DIVISION

Most agencies have many different needs for volunteers. You can spruce up a visitation room with new toys and supplies. You can provide childcare for support group meetings. You can get involved with clothing or gift drives. In some states, you can even transport or supervise visits with biological parents. Contact your local agency and ask what the needs are.

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3. PRAY

This isn’t as trite as it sounds. When you access the God of the universe on behalf of another, it is the most loving and powerful thing you can do. Pray for foster parents. Pray for adoptive parents. Pray for the children in their care. Pray for children who are waiting for families. Pray for the judges and the workers and the lawyers and the therapists. Pray.

4. BABYSIT FOR A FOSTER FAMILY

Many foster children have several appointments scheduled within a six week period. That means that foster parents are in dire need of help with other children in the household. People who are willing to care for foster children for small periods of time make it possible for people who are able to care for them full time.

5. MENTOR FOSTER YOUTH

Look for opportunities through the state, local organizations, or even Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to connect with foster youth, former foster youth, or at risk children. Mentoring is such a meaningful way to affect the life of a current or former foster child. The relationship can be an opportunity to show love and care to someone who’s maybe never experienced it, tell of the great sacrifice of Jesus with someone who’s maybe never heard it, share wisdom and life skills with someone who’s maybe never been taught them, and possibly even be a stand-in family member to someone who’s maybe never had anyone.

By fostertreeadmin