May is National Foster Care Month

Guest Blog by Elder Lawson Calhoun
Chair Presbytery Leader Nominating Committee
Member of Westminster Presbyterian-St. Louis
Chair of the Board of Trustees for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize children and to examine ways we can each play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care and /or out of home care.  The intent of foster care is to provide a safe environment for children and youth who temporarily cannot live with their families.

Some highlights of The Children’s Division of Missouri Department of Social Services. The goal of the child welfare system is to protect children and provide services to help them stay at home. When the court decides that staying home is not in the best interest of the child, they may be placed in out-of-home care—also known as foster care. When a child is unable to safely return home, the court may terminate the parental rights of the birth parents. At that point, a child may be in need of a permanent home through adoption.

We encourage all families who are willing to open their homes to assist children in need to learn more about foster care and adoption in Missouri.

Excerpts of the Foster Care Bill of Rights: “In all circumstances, the best interests of the child shall be the first priority of the Children’s Division.  Recognizing the importance of familial stability in foster care and adoption placement, it shall be the practice of the children’s division, when appropriate, to support a child’s return to the custody and care of the parents or guardians with whom the child resided immediately prior to state custody. When restoration of care and custody is not appropriate or possible, the Children’s Division shall attempt to place the child with suitable relatives in accordance with section 210.565 The Children’s Division shall further support familial stability by ensuring continuity of foster placement, except in instances where the cause for a change in a child’s placement is reasonably found. The Children’s Division shall work with each child in state custody to develop both a permanency plan and a case plan. These plans shall be developed within twelve months of a child’s entrance into state custody. The permanency plan shall include the child’s immediate and long-term placement goals, while the case plan shall address a child’s specific medical and emotional needs.

Recognizing the value of familial relationships in foster care and adoption settings, it shall be the practice of the Children’s Division to place siblings in the same foster care, kinship, guardianship, or adoptive placement, unless doing so would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings. If siblings are not placed together, it shall be the practice of the children’s division to support regular visitation and communication between siblings in state custody, and between children in state custody and their parents and relatives, where not otherwise prohibited or against a child’s best interests.”

There are approximately 19,000 children in the care of the division.  The average age is 8 years of age.  The hotline 1-800-392-3738.  See dss.mo.gov for more information.

Bernice Thompson, LCSW, and I are hosting an online Parent forum for caregivers on the 1st and 3rd Monday evening each month at 7 pm.  This free parent group offers the caregiver the opportunity to receive information on varied topics related to developing, refining their skills in working with children and youth as well as in-service training for required annual training. This effort is through Saint Vincent Home for Children.  Over 170 years Saint Vincent Home for Children have provided services for children.  Presently provides mental health services for youth and families in crisis:  emergency shelter for youth, crisis intervention, case management, counseling, and outreach services.  For more information visit www.saintvincenthome.org.

Elder Lawson Calhoun, MA, MHFA, DTM
Chair Presbytery Leader Nominating Committee
Member of Westminster Presbyterian-St. Louis
Chair of the Board of Trustees for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

Reference: dss.mo.gov