Focus On The Children

Focus On The Children:

Taking Charge of the Future

Become A Foster Or Adoptive Parent

by Elder Charlotte Hall

We’ve heard the phrase often “Children are our future”. Well the future for many of our children may seem very uncertain. The number of children in foster care is growing at an alarming rate. According to Administration Of Children’s Services (ACS), 5,000 children are placed into foster care annually. 1,000 new foster parents are needed annually to keep up with this growth. Now, we must extend our arms and concern to include the children of our future. It’s time to think about how we as the Church can help.

Our Churches can begin by raising the awareness of the congregation by making a simple weekly announcement and have printed material made available. That’s all it takes - one interested party with a vision and on a mission. Could that be YOU? I urge you to THINK ABOUT IT. Selah If you are reading this article we know that things don’t just happen in the Kingdom. They happen just the way God planned it. I urge you to become that one that takes up the cause for our children of the future. Their future is now. Sow a seed and reap a harvest.

Where would I begin, you ask? Just begin to pray about it. Then you can simply call 212-676-wish and obtain some written material. You can also Google in Foster Parent and Adoptive Parenting on your computer. You’ll be amazed at the amount of information that comes up. One Website offers 10 steps to start us on our way.

We should include international adoption and focus on the enormous amount of orphans in Haiti. Start with one child from right here in the New York City area. Then proceed to an international adoption starting Haiti. God’s ears are open to the cries of the children. We can open our hearts and our door. There are many unique ways to adopt these days. Knowledge is power.

Foster care is a temporary arrangement for a child who cannot live safely with his/her birth family. Children in foster care live with their relatives, foster parents or, if neither is available, in group facilities. Children are removed from their families due to neglect (such as not providing enough food for the child or leaving a child who is unable to care for herself/himself alone) and/or physical, sexual or emotional abuse. In almost all cases, when children are removed from their parents, parents must be provided help so that they can safely parent their children. Slightly more than half of children who go into foster care return to their birth families. When parents are provided with help and they are still unable to parent safely and their children remain in foster care for 15 of the most recent months, the state files with the courts to legally terminate the parents’ rights. The children then become available for adoption. Most children are adopted by their foster parents or relatives. However, if this is not possible, states try and find other adoptive parents.

HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT? You can start by calling 1-888-200-4005 or you can call a local foster/adoption agency. Licensing is required and preparation classes as well as an application, including a background check. It’s a comprehensive process.

FOSTER PARENT PRE-SERVICE TRAINING. Each state has a variety of policies regarding pre-service training for foster parents.

LIMITATIONS ON NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN A FOSTER HOME. Almost every state limits the number of children that can be placed in a foster home. Many make exceptions in certain cases, often in order to keep a sibling group together.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Foster Parenting Today: A BIMONTHLY FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA.

Family Stories: Families share their personal experience about adoption.

You can find much more helpful information at your local library or on your computer.

To be continued.

Information excerpt from www.adoptuskids.org/resourceCenter/aboutFosterCare.aspx

Charlotte A. Hall, Emmanuel Prayer Ministries International Outreach, Bklyn, NY 718 455-3881.


NEWSFRONT FEATURES REGIONAL EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS TRI-STATE NEWS THE CLASSIFIEDS FOLLOW US ABOUT US EditRegion5	FEATURES Focus On The Children: Taking Charge of the Future Become A Foster Or Adoptive Parent by Elder Charlotte Hall We’ve heard the phrase often “Children are our future”. Well the future for many of our children may seem very uncertain. The number of children in foster care is growing at an alarming rate. According to Administration Of Children’s Services (ACS), 5,000 children are placed into foster care annually. 1,000 new foster parents are needed annually to keep up with this growth. Now, we must extend our arms and concern to include the children of our future. It’s time to think about how we as the Church can help. Our Churches can begin by raising the awareness of the congregation by making a simple weekly announcement and have printed material made available. That’s all it takes - one interested party with a vision and on a mission. Could that be YOU? I urge you to THINK ABOUT IT. Selah If you are reading this article we know that things don’t just happen in the Kingdom. They happen just the way God planned it. I urge you to become that one that takes up the cause for our children of the future. Their future is now. Sow a seed and reap a harvest. Where would I begin, you ask? Just begin to pray about it. Then you can simply call 212-676-wish and obtain some written material. You can also Google in Foster Parent and Adoptive Parenting on your computer. You’ll be amazed at the amount of information that comes up. One Website offers 10 steps to start us on our way. We should include international adoption and focus on the enormous amount of orphans in Haiti. Start with one child from right here in the New York City area. Then proceed to an international adoption starting Haiti. God’s ears are open to the cries of the children. We can open our hearts and our door. There are many unique ways to adopt these days. Knowledge is power. Foster care is a temporary arrangement for a child who cannot live safely with his/her birth family. Children in foster care live with their relatives, foster parents or, if neither is available, in group facilities. Children are removed from their families due to neglect (such as not providing enough food for the child or leaving a child who is unable to care for herself/himself alone) and/or physical, sexual or emotional abuse. In almost all cases, when children are removed from their parents, parents must be provided help so that they can safely parent their children. Slightly more than half of children who go into foster care return to their birth families. When parents are provided with help and they are still unable to parent safely and their children remain in foster care for 15 of the most recent months, the state files with the courts to legally terminate the parents’ rights. The children then become available for adoption. Most children are adopted by their foster parents or relatives. However, if this is not possible, states try and find other adoptive parents. HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT? You can start by calling 1-888-200-4005 or you can call a local foster/adoption agency. Licensing is required and preparation classes as well as an application, including a background check. It’s a comprehensive process. FOSTER PARENT PRE-SERVICE TRAINING. Each state has a variety of policies regarding pre-service training for foster parents. LIMITATIONS ON NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN A FOSTER HOME. Almost every state limits the number of children that can be placed in a foster home. Many make exceptions in certain cases, often in order to keep a sibling group together. HELPFUL RESOURCES: Foster Parenting Today: A BIMONTHLY FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA. Family Stories: Families share their personal experience about adoption. You can find much more helpful information at your local library or on your computer. To be continued. Information excerpt from www.adoptuskids.org/resourceCenter/aboutFosterCare.aspx Charlotte A. Hall, Emmanuel Prayer Ministries International Outreach, Bklyn, NY 718 455-3881. Home \| Regional Events \| Features \| The Classifieds \| About Us \| Commentary \| Community \| Links ©2007 The Love Express. All rights reserved. Serving the Christian Community for over 20 years.