Foster Care Homes

Why are foster parents scrutinized more than a birth parent that abused, neglected or walked away from their child? The rules and regulations of living life as a foster parent are so stringent now they scare people away from attempting to open their homes for foster children.

In the 2006 - 2008 U. S. Census Bureau data statistics estimate that Michigan had 45,425 children in foster care. In Wayne County alone, the estimate for children in care at that time was 8,621. There are many reasons children are in foster care: abuse, neglect, failure to thrive, parental abuse, and financial strain.

Foster care is supposed to be a short term solution for an emergency situation, it has become more than that. The State of Michigan's goal is to reunite the children with their birth parents as soon as possible. Things just are not working as well as the state had hoped. Children are staying in foster homes longer and it takes longer to rehabilitate the parents, sometimes years. Michigan is in desperate need of foster care parents and homes. If they were not so strict there would be more people willing to foster these children.

Becoming licensed to be a foster parent is a long tedious process. It can take ten months to a year to become a foster parent. First applicants must complete a licensing application, then successfully complete a background clearance for all adult household members, provide medical statements, provide three acceptable references, pass numerous onsite visits to the home by the licensing department and finally after acceptance attend training pertinent to foster care issues (Michigan Department of Human Services, 2007).

When the family has passed all the necessary requirements they are ready to receive their first foster child. By then they have decided what age group of children they are going to foster. The agency normally only gives a few hours notice when they have a child to place with the foster family. When that time arrives the foster home has to already have in place sleeping accommodations, and depending on the age of the child, possibly diapers, bottles or anything else that might be necessary.

At any time of the day or night the phone could ring and the foster parents are notified a child is coming to them. All they are told is the name, age and sex of the child. Most of the time a protective service worker brings the child and they come with nothing other than the clothes they are wearing. It is the financial responsibility of the foster parents for clothing and any other necessities, until the foster care payments start, which can take up to two months. Within 10 days the foster parents will receive a $100.00 dollar clothing allowance check that is supposed to be enough to supply the child with all they need.

Most children placed in care are in desperate need of medical treatment which can't be done without the permission of the birth parent. To get permission, the foster