It is only natural that the surprise of a worldwide pandemic would invoke a drastic shift throughout all parts of societies, especially throughout all governments. In the U.S, one noteworthy part of the government that has been struggling is the foster care system There has been a difficulty of handling issues and finances that has caused difficulties in the operation of finding homes for children and ensuring their safety. It is important to not overlook that these problems are being dealt with in the foster care system, and have been persistent well before the pandemic. It is the pandemic that has highlighted these issues that show that the problem isn’t coronavirus, but rather the setup and lack of cultivation of an environment that successfully prepares children for a future where they will be a high probability of having to rely on themselves. The foster system is composed of children who are placed under government care because they are not able to provide for themselves while their parents/families are unable to properly care for them, and they deserve that the government does right by them. Overall, in being placed in the system, they are not able to have a stable or predictable future in which they will remain safe and comfortable, and this means it is incredibly important to understand why there needs to be reform in this system and more value should be placed in these children.
Children in the foster care system are directly impacted by the shortcomings of the government and the system itself, which can/will follow them into adulthood and affect their abilities to maintain relationships with others. Their social skills and mental health are already put at heavy risk the longer they remain in the system, and as they grow older, they are less likely to be adopted and have the chance to return to their families that had previously been unfit to support them. As a result of not many children being taken in, there comes the issue of overpopulation in the system. With the delays in foster placements that occurred because of the pandemic, there is the issue of availability in space to house these children and the homes become stressed with the pressure they receive to foster. “States have shown it’s possible to conduct adoptions and foster care placements remotely and effectively but caseworkers say it has made their job considerably more challenging to serve the more than 400,000 children currently in the system” (Dodge). As children and child welfare workers struggle to find proper placements during the pandemic, the children approach the age out limit of 18 years old, which launches these vulnerable individuals into a world they were not prepared for. Without sufficient funding from the government, those in the system are unable to receive high level education and are unlikely to continue in academics when they age out. Those who age out are more likely to be incarcerated, more likely to become victims of sex trafficking, more likely to experience homelessness or poverty, and overall not given a chance of a successful life. “There’s nothing like a crisis to show how truly vulnerable this group of young people are as they transition to adulthood” (Dodge). From my perspective, we could offer a solution that addresses the shortage in certified foster parents and suggests that the system pushes the age out limit back several years to offer unprepared children support during such a stressful time in their lives. It is important to constantly look for solutions to improve the state of this system and there have been an emergence of potential solutions that have been in place as a result of understanding the issues that resume in the foster care system. “Some states, like California and Ohio, were quick to implement policies to prevent youth from aging out of the system for the duration of the pandemic — and allow those who have recently aged out to opt back in. But many other states have not, leaving youth to fend for themselves” (Dodge). Although the scarcity of foster families was a common concern prior to the pandemic, the economic impact has made fostering children more difficult. Considering that the intake of foster children puts families at risk because of the constant movement of residence that occurs for these children, along with the financial stress placed on foster parents who have been heavily impacted by the pandemic, it is understandable that the system has been in more trouble as of late. As long as there is a constant progression in this system, the pandemic could lead to societal understanding of the severity of the issue and proper support for these children who had no choice to be placed there.
In looking at this issue in its entirety, it is evident that the issues that were highlighted as a result of the pandemic had surfaced well before then. Amidst the high probability of failing after aging out of the foster system, it is difficult for them to envision a brighter future for themselves which leaves them figuratively backed into a corner with the increased likelihood of mental health issues. They are then incapable of maintaining relationships and encounter challenges of self-taught independence which only causes insecurities to emerge that do not benefit them in procuring a life that can guarantee them safety and comfort. In connection to the novel, The Leavers by Lisa Ko, we read about the impacts of the foster care system and the absence of the emotional support that Deming desired from his foster parents. He struggled with accepting his identity and was unable to maintain many relationships with his peers or his foster parents, which followed him into adulthood affecting the way he treated himself and how he viewed himself. Having such a disconnect between himself and how he wanted to be perceived by others became the root of his inability to form connections with those who saw themselves as his friend. He was unable to be a stable person for others because he grew up without stability with his self identity and social life. Although he was homed with a family that generally treated him well, he struggled with assimilating into a culture that affected his mental health which was not addressed. By not addressing this issue that he had, many issues appeared as he became an adult. This is not an unlikely situation that occurs among foster kids which only highlights that there should be priority on the mental health for foster children throughout their experience in the system and when they get out of it. We should hold the system accountable and make sure that they are informed and do what is best. Make sure that they are properly funded. Bringing this to the forefront of conversation is important because there will sadly be more children being placed in the system in the coming years. These children should have the opportunity to grow and see a better life for themselves going forward without the anxiety and fear of a future they do not know how to set forward into.
COVID-19 Strips Safety Net for Foster Youth ‘Aging Out’ During Pandemic
“Foster Care: Here’s a bit of good news!” – Gov. Mike DeWine
Sources:
Dodge, David. “Foster Care Was Always Tough. Covid-19 Made It Tougher.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/parenting/foster-care-coronavirus.html.
Sorrell, Cyndi. “51 Useful Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics: Social Race Media.” National Foster Youth Institute, 26 May 2017, nfyi.org/51-useful-aging-out-of-foster-care-statistics-social-race-media/.
This is a great example of how the COVID-19 pandemic has shined light on a group that has had systemic issues well before this global disaster. Foster care is a great example of the injustices that are experienced by lack of government funding. It is important we hold these systems accountable for the outcomes they cause. I was unaware of the lack of mental health resources within the foster system, so I found the information you provided to be very informative. I really liked how you included the reference to “The Leaver’s,” and Deming’s experience with adoptive parents.