Why, you might ask, has the DeKalb County CASA Program decided to start blogging? Well, it’s simple. We wanted to provide an arena for our volunteers, supporters, sponsors, funders, and others who are interested in what we do (advocating for children) to comment, share, and talk about resources available for children in foster care. Or resources for our volunteers. Whatever the case may be, this is the place to talk.
To get things started, we thought it would be good to discuss the important role of placement stability and child care assistance for foster children. Did you know that children who enter the child welfare system at a young age are at a higher risk for a myriad of developmental, physical, and mental health problems? Not to mention the ever increasing number of those experiencing attachment disorders. Even more importantly, multiple placements increase the risk for attachment disorders among foster children and are associated with adverse long-term outcomes.
We, who work with these youth on a day-to-day basis, must help to provide stable, contingent, and emotionally supportive experiences for our youth, especially the older children we serve.
We, who work with these youth on a day-to-day basis, must understand the importance of using child care assistance and how this is associated with a reduction in the likelihood of children in foster care to experience placement disruption.
We, who work with these youth on a day-to-day basis, must advocate for their best interests no matter what it takes. Provide support, provide consistency, provide a voice.
#advocate #volunteer #onevoiceonechild
Research provided by: M. E. Meloy & D. A. Phillips from their research in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology titled Foster Children & Placement Stability: The role of child care assistance.
A list of child care assistance programs in Georgia (provided by Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services):