Another major issue with drug abuse and other addictions being such a huge part of foster care is the time factor. Beating a drug addiction is not as easy or something that happens overnight. To overcome an addiction takes a huge commitment, hard work, and possibly a large amount of time for the biological parents.

Below is a quote from an article here:

Doctors used to say withdrawal took 12 to 18 months, but now, note that withdrawal might take 10 years or... more

Drugs Impacting the Foster Care System States continue to struggle with the number of foster children in care because of drugs. In Nebraska nearly 2 out of 5 foster children in foster care are there because their biological parents are addicted to methamphetamine. In Georgetown, Texas CPS says that more than half... more

The numbers of children in foster care are continuing to rise in this country because of the effects that “meth” and other drugs have seemed to have on the lives that they touch. Instead of numbers of foster placements involved with drugs getting better they seem to be skyrocketing. With drugs continuing to be a major problem of our society, the picture of foster care continues to become bleaker every day.

I have written about the effect of drugs to the foster care system and the... more

Why is it Taking So Long for a Placement?

I know of foster parents that have chosen to wait for a young girl under the age of 5 years old, white, no siblings, no real issues to speak of, no developmentally delays, etc. Understand that when you choose a certain gender and a small window of age range, this can limit your possibilities greatly. A large majority of foster children coming into care come from a sibling group which will also impact your placements.... more

This is a question that I hear from time to time. It is always confusing to the foster parents waiting for a placement when everything you hear is about how desperate foster parents are needed. One of the biggest reasons of the delayed foster placements is when foster parents limit the types of foster children that they are willing to parent.

While I do understand only taking children that you feel that you are capable, or willing to parent, on the other side, seeking preconceived traits or desires is only going to work against you. Trying to be honest... more

Finding a doctor willing to provide care for your foster children can be a challenge. A lot of doctors do not take Medicaid so this limits your choices, or they only have a certain number of Medicaid patients they see. If you have a doctor that your children or your family sees check with them to see if they would be willing to see your foster children even if they say they are closed to new Medicaid patients. My foster children were taken as my children since my doctor had been seeing my daughter for a few years.

When we moved last year there was not a... more

Reader xxsurroundedbyxy has asked what you can do when you have no support. I will share my ideas about finding help with foster children when family or friends are not an option. Please, share your thoughts, ideas or experiences below to help out other foster parents.

Some foster parents do not have family or friends willing to help out with foster children for any number of reasons. This can make things rough for you and add to your stress level.... more

What to do when you do not have the built-in support system with your decision to do foster care? First, every state and agency will have their own laws and guidelines to meet, so check with both before doing anything.

The reality is that it was your decision to become a foster parent and not that of your family or friends. When foster children are placed into the mix of things it can stress others out. Some people have an image or a distorted idea of foster children being juvenile delinquents, etc. that you may have to overcome.

Respite... more

While I have talked about foster parents needing a support system, we also have to have an ongoing support system for any foster children that come into our home. The support system for your foster children will continue to grow and develop as you foster. I here oh, so often that Child Welfare is not assisting the foster parent with issues they are having or helping get foster children the care they need. While I totally believe that they should be the ones to assist the... more

This is something that every foster parent needs to manage the stress and challenges that comes along with being a foster parent. When I first started fostering, I did not realize how important and what a necessity this is. While most of us have the family members and friends that are our normal daily life support system, we also need this with being a foster parent.

This means that your daily support system will need to understand some basics of foster children and be open about children that may have issues or behaviors. Truthfully not every family member... more