"Change" was a pretty important topic in 2008. Change we can believe in, we are the change we seek.
A year's end is a traditional time for reflection. Whether we create formal "resolutions" or not, this is the time when many of us take stock and identify ways to change ourselves. Lose a little weight. Regain a little hair (??!!). Mend fences. Read more. Watch TV less.
I'm a foster parent. Well, I was until about a week ago when the children I've lived with for 18 months were moved to a new home to prepare them for reunification with their mother.
Foster parenting is tough. Parts of the child welfare system in Pennsylvania are antiquated and some private and public agencies are corrupt in spite of regulatory review and oversight. I could go on about what it's like to be within the system. Dear reader, your hair would stand on end if you knew what our state agencies did -- and didn't do -- on behalf of Pennsylvania's weakest constituents (foster children).
Today, that's not my point.
My point is change. Here's where you come in.
As a foster parent who is also a professional, a business owner, I often met other professionals who admired what my husband and I do, but said foster parenting was not for them. No judgments for people who correctly admit this is not their calling. It is grueling work.
But there ARE things people can do to help kids in need of nurturing homes. Little things. And each little thing helps bring about positive change for one child, or many children.
Some ideas:
Donate. Find an adoption/foster care agency and ask what type of financial support they might need. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Agencies like Bethany Christian Services* have gift catalogs that assign specific dollar amounts to specific needs. Like $35 for a child's winter coat. Or $75 to help a family pay utilities for a month. Or $4 for 4 chickens for a family in Ethiopia. http://www.bethany.org/lancaster
Get Certified. Maybe you don't want to be a foster parent. How about a respite parent where you provide 2 or 3 day support for a foster child, while his "every day" foster family takes a breather. www.diakon.org and http://www.cobys.org are reputable organizations.
Advocate. Some counties, like York, have a CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocate who makes sure the child's needs are properly met in court decision making. This is a volunteer position. Believe me when I tell you CASA's are sorely needed ESPECIALLY IN COUNTIES LIKE CHESTER. Children need and deserve a voice.
http://www.pacasa.org
Ask for and support legislation. Did you know that it is legal in the state of PA to reunify a child with a parent who is using the child's social security number for personal gain? Yep. Learn the laws relating to child welfare. And advocate for positive change.
Raise awareness. Learn more about PA's foster children and our system. For example: There are more than 800 children awaiting permanent homes in PA. Now, talk about it. Talk to your friends, your minister, your hair dresser. Talk about PA's kids the way our newspapers talk about Puppy Mills (another important cause). Raise awareness about the need. Who knows who (whom?) you will inspire.
How are you going to change?
I have a few ideas in mind for myself. I'll be working with a state senator to change the ridiculous loop hole that makes identity theft a crime...but allows county agencies to overlook the crime and move forward with reunification. I'll be advocating for the placement of CASA in a certain county. And yes, I'll be foster parenting again.
Each of us does what we can, in our own individual way. My only goal is to get some people thinking about reaching out to PA's kids...Happy New Year and may 2009 bring you much health and happiness.
*In the interest of disclosure, I am a board member of Bethany, but use another agency's services.
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