The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families provides a yearly report on the state of adoption and foster care in the United States. According to the AFCARS report for the fiscal year 2019, which is the most recent data available, there are 423,997 children in foster care. In Illinois alone, there are 17,920 children in foster care. The need for foster parents is critical, particularly in Chicago. Unity Parenting and Counseling can give you more information about why there is such a need for foster parents, what fostering a child involves, and how you can foster a child in Chicago.
Why Is There a Critical Need for Foster Parents?
There are times when children must be removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse. These children are taken into protective custody by the state. The children may be placed in a temporary shelter prior to entering a licensed foster home.
A foster home gives a child a chance to develop trust, self-esteem, healthy emotions, and the opportunity to learn valuable life skills. Foster care can help children feel a sense of belonging and normalcy within a family unit.
When children in foster care believe that they are important to someone, they can grow and flourish into healthy adults.
What Is the Difference Between Licensed Foster Care and Unlicensed Relative Foster Care?
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has the best interests of children in mind when they are evaluating foster care. Each child is unique and the goal is to make sure each child receives the best support for their individual situation. The two different types of foster care are licensed foster care and unlicensed relative foster care.
Unlicensed Relative and Kinship Care
Relative or kinship care is when a child or young person lives with a relative or someone they already know. Ideally, the child would already have a relationship and connection with that relative. While relative and kinship care helps to meet urgent needs and provide some continuity in a child’s life, it is most beneficial for relatives to become fully licensed as foster parents. During the period relatives are unlicensed, they receive significantly lower reimbursements for costs than licensed foster parents.
Licensed Foster Care
When relative or kinship care is not an option, children and youth can find a home within licensed foster care. Foster care provides temporary care with foster parents for children who are unable to remain in their own homes and are placed in the custody of the state Children and Youth agency by the courts. Foster care homes provide a safe and secure environment for children and youth.
Within licensed foster care, there are additional types of foster care that are available depending on the individual child’s needs.
Types of Foster Care
The type of foster care that a child receives can vary based on the unique circumstances.
Emergency Foster Care
Emergency care provides a safe haven for children in the event of a dangerous environment or situation. Emergency care is provided for children of all ages, including infants and young children. These placements can occur at any time. Emergency situations are often unpredictable and can result in taking children in at short notice.
Short-Term and Medium-Term Foster Care
There are times when children need a place to stay while their parents are working on making changes so that they can be reunited with their families. Short-term and medium-term care placements focus on reuniting the child with their birth parents or extended family within two years of the placement.
Any help that foster parents can provide is extremely valuable, whether it be under emergency circumstances or for longer periods of time. If you think you can provide a loving and nurturing home for a foster child in Chicago, Unity Parenting and Counseling can help.
What Does Fostering a Child Involve?
The most important thing a foster parent can do for their foster child is to be a teacher and mentor. By being good role models, foster parents can help children in their care learn about teamwork, responsibility, and commitment.
Foster parents must be willing to hold themselves to a higher standard of parenting. They must be focused on their child’s needs daily.
Being a foster parent is challenging, but it is critical to the outcome of the child’s welfare. Foster care plays a key role in helping children feel safe, wanted, and loved.
How Can You Foster a Child in Chicago?
If you’re interested in fostering a child in Chicago, Unity Parenting and Counseling can help. Unity Parenting & Counseling Inc. is a licensed child welfare agency that implements an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) contracted Foster Care program.
In order to become a foster parent in Illinois, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Participate in a home inspection and social assessment.
- Complete 27 hours of training that focuses on foster care and the needs of children who are in foster care.
- Complete a criminal background check for all household members.
- Be financially stable.
- Complete a health screening that includes verification that immunizations are up to date.
When you foster with Unity Parenting, our staff and case managers will help prepare you for the challenging, yet rewarding job as a foster parent. We provide expert training and ongoing support. Foster parents also receive a monthly stipend to support the day-to-day expenses for each child. Unity Parenting and Counseling also assists foster parents in becoming licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Unity Parenting’s goal is to help children and families by assisting with the foster and adoption processes.
How Can You Support Unity Parenting’s Mission?
Unity Parent and Counseling would not be able to provide all of these necessary services and programs if it wasn’t for the support of their sponsors and generous donations from the community.
If you are able to donate money, in-kind services, or goods, we would greatly appreciate it. Your financial support helps to end homelessness in a myriad of ways.
Foster a Child With Unity Parenting and Counseling
The need for foster parents is critical. If you have the heart, the commitment, and the space, we encourage you to call Unity Parenting and Counseling Inc. at 312-455-0007. Foster parents change the world for all of us—one child at a time.