Foster parents key in children's lives

By Danielle Strenke
Becoming a foster parent is not an easy decision. But for those people who open their homes to other peopleís children, the support network is strong.
In Chisago County, there is an overwhelming need for foster parents. Around 40 children are currently in foster care in 27 different foster homes.
Of those homes, only 19 are non-related foster parents. The others are part of a growing trend where children are taken in by grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives.
Social workers and child protection advocates working in the countyís Department of Health and Human Services want people to understand that foster parenting can be a very rewarding experience.
ìMany times only the negative stories come out,î Foster Care Coordinator Karen Harris said.
The process of becoming a foster parent includes completing an application to be licensed through the state. The entire process, which includes interviews and home visits, typically takes one to two months to complete.
Foster parents can be married or single, must be over 21, have a basically stable family life, good references and pass a criminal background check. They must also have the flexibility to work with troubled kids, although many times foster kids have no behavioral issues ñ they just need a safe place to stay.
Once a family has been licensed, it may be a few weeks or sometimes up to a year before a child is put under their care.
Harris said at one time foster care was a more permanent option for placement of children. Now, the county works to find permanent homes within a year for children under eight and within six months for younger kids. A permanent home can be an adoptive home or when the children are able to return to their own families.
ìItís made us have to step it up with more visits and extensive work with the families,î Adoption and Permanency Planning worker Laurie Karp said.
Social Service Supervisor Linda Duerkop said finding permanent homes is made even more challenging when parents have serious issues to deal with, such as a methamphetamine addiction. ìYou have a short time frame to rehabilitate parents or find permanent adoptive homes,î she said.
Whether a foster family takes in children on a long-term basis or offers emergency care for one or two days, the social workers and child advocates in Chisago County are there to offer support and access to resources. These resources serve as links to assist everyone involved in the foster care process ñ from the child to the foster parents to the biological parents.
Duerkop and the other people on staff in Chisago County realize the importance of supporting foster parents.
ìThe biggest support we can offer is contact,î Karp said. ìIf someone can just listen, that means so much to them.î
Monthly support meetings are held for foster parents, as well as monthly training for those who are willing to accept children with specific emotional or behavioral issues.
One of the best support groups, the staff said, is one for foster parents to talk with other foster parents. ìIt has helped getting to know foster parents and then they get comfortable with us,î Social Worker Judy Lovering said.
She said foster parents can definitely have a lasting impact on children in their temporary care. ìWeíve had foster kids come back to find their foster parents,î she said.
ìItís not unusual to see positive life-long bonds,î Carrie Jakobler said. Jakobler works in child protection assessments for the county.
The goal of moving children more quickly into permanent homes has also brought about more creative ways of thinking, the DHS staff said. ìWeíve tried some creative things like full family placement where the parent goes with the child to foster care,î Duerkop said. ìThatís been pretty successful.î
Jean Storlie offers ongoing child protection services for the county. She said the ultimate goal is to ease the transition to foster care for the children. ìIf a child wonít sleep without a certain toy and the foster family doesnít have it, weíll try to get it,î she said.
ìItís not inside our regular role, but weíre looking at more creative ways to help.î
They also recognize that without support, foster parents may feel overwhelmed at times. ìWe want to offer things to keep foster kids there,î Duerkop said. ìWe donít want them jumping to other homes, so we make sure services are available, including respite time for foster parents.î
She said when a child must be removed from their home, foster homes can be the stability that was lacking in their own homes.
ìNo one makes the transition easier for kids than foster parents. The ideal situation is when foster parents can mentor biological parents ñ thatís when we know the system has been successful.î

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