Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs, refer to traumatic events that occur during a child’s formative years. These range from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse to neglect, household dysfunction, or witnessing violence. Studies show that such experiences can lead to numerous negative outcomes, particularly when it comes to child development. What Are Adverse Childhood […]
Signs of Child Abuse and How to Report It
Child abuse often goes unreported, not because people don’t care, but because many people aren’t sure what to look for or what to do when something feels wrong. Children who experience abuse may struggle to tell someone due to fear or confusion. That’s why adults, especially those who regularly interact with children, need to recognize […]
The Power of Youth Mentorship: When Someone Stays
Katherine often says, “I don’t remember much of my story.” At just four years old, she and her brother were removed from their home due to abuse. Katherine remained nonverbal until age seven, carrying memories too heavy for words that surfaced only in fragments. After moving through multiple foster homes, the siblings were eventually separated. […]
The Rights of Children in Foster Care
For a child entering foster care, nearly everything changes at once: where they live, who they see each day, and what tomorrow might look like. During that upheaval, children deserve respect and protection. These rights are not abstract ideals; they shape how children experience safety, belonging, education, and family connection while in care. Recognizing and honoring these rights makes the […]
Trauma-Informed Residential Care for Youth in Foster Care
Thousands of children enter foster care each year due to abuse, neglect, and unsafe living conditions. Many arrive carrying deep trauma that requires specialized, trauma-informed care to begin healing. Trauma-informed care is a compassionate and empathetic approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of traumatic experiences in a child’s life. Diane was one of […]
5 Influential Women in Foster Care You Should Know About
Women’s History Month marks a special time to celebrate the women in our lives and remember outstanding women from our past. The five influential women in foster care listed below believed in the value, dignity, and importance of children. They became champions of child welfare and made foundational changes to the system. We honor them […]
The Hidden Foster Care Crisis (It’s Not What You Think)
When people hear “foster care crisis,” they usually think of one problem: the shortage of foster homes for the number of children in care. The shortage is real and a major consequence of the crisis, but it fails to explain why the system struggles or how to fix it. To fully understand the foster care […]
What Is Child Welfare? A Clear Guide to How the System Works
When safety breaks down at home, child welfare becomes the bridge to stability. It begins with prevention and safe reunification whenever possible. If not, kinship and foster care, eventually adoption, become the next best options. The system spans courts, caseworkers, nonprofits, and caregivers, all working toward three goals: safety, permanency, and well-being. In this article, we take a […]
Why Do Foster Parents Quit? (And How You Can Help)
Foster parents don’t quit because they stop caring about kids. So why is foster family turnover so high? The answer often comes down to systemic gaps in communication and support. When this happens, children in foster care are the ones who pay the price. The good news is that we can all help close these […]
Cope with Depression During the Holidays (Expert Strategies)
Holidays bring an atmosphere of joy and celebration, but proximity to the holiday spirit exacerbates the effects of depression and grief. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that “64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse.” Use this guide to discover the root causes and effective strategies to cope […]
National Adoption Month: A Brief History of Adoption
Every November, National Adoption Month provides a time to celebrate adoptive families, support those navigating the adoption process, and raise awareness for children still waiting for permanent homes. However, the history of adoption traces its roots to ancient times. It spans cultures and tells the story of evolving knowledge about caring for children. This National […]
Halloween Safety Tips for Foster Parents
Halloween is a magical time of the year for children, but kids in foster care may struggle to fit in around the holidays. In the United States, about 35% of children in foster care move homes two or more times per year. With such frequent uprooting, it can be easy to feel excluded from the […]
