By: Richard Mendoza
(LINK TO Video Version of this story is available here) https://biteable.com/watch/3603994/0f3a74d1f4ff20458b3bac15b57a2b90)
The foster care system in America works to provide for young children or young adults who have either lost their family, have been neglected or abused by the ones who were supposed to care for them or simply need to be in a better place than their current situation.
Regardless of the reasoning behind a child’s enrollment into the foster care system, the United States has established a system that works to help shelter and care for its young children and adults, but is it doing a good enough job?
So how do children end up in foster care? We’ve established maltreatment and abuse; now we can refer to a 2020 breakdown of the reported number of cases of child abuse in the United States by age of victim.
(Data in chart form credited to Statista Research Department)
(data in chart credited to California Child Welfare Indicators Project)
The above dataset spans a 10-year period covering California children with reported maltreatment in foster care. The national standard of maltreatment in foster care is around 9.67 VICTIMIZATIONS PER 100,000 DAYS IN FOSTER CARE according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). In comparison to the national standard, California children in the age ranges of 11-15 and 16-17 are experiencing higher rates of maltreatment compared to other age ranges.
Although the reported cases of abuse are higher for children younger than the ages of 6 or 7, children above that age range are experiencing more instances of neglect. This data and information only slightly show the effects of abuse (whether it be physical, sexual, mental) on a child and young adult's physical and mental health.
Children forced to enter the foster care system due to these experiences suffer from grief, trauma, and knowledge of loss and separation from their families. These are incredibly life changing experiences. A young child may yet to understand the reasoning behind their separation or abuse, but the side effects of such events can be incredibly traumatic. For older children, especially those who are "aging out" of foster care, dealing with abuse and neglect all of their lives can lead to a great deal of issues.
Teenagers and young adults who will soon be too old to be under the care of the foster care system will be at a great disadvantage. For some, access to healthcare will become an issue, "Some states offer Medicaid for youth until 21 years of age, but others may terminate eligibility for Medicaid and other forms of public assistance earlier, causing youth to lose access to physical and mental health care after they emancipate and no longer receive services and supports from the child welfare system. "
Lack of access to healthcare can put many of these children and young adults at a greater risk of catching and suffering from diseases, illnesses or injuries that can be treated. "Up to 80% of children and adolescents enter with a significant mental health need, and almost 40% have significant oral health issues. Approximately 60% of children younger than 5 years have developmental health issues, and more than 40% of school-aged children have educational difficulties."
Suffering from these issues can lead to young children and young adults to be exposed to drugs, which can lead to substance abuse. Foster youth who are beginning to age out of the system are also at greater risk of violence or crime.
For others, the lack of connections may make finding work and support a harder battle to conquer. Those in the foster care system who were never really taught much on the intricacies of life will struggle to adapt without support. Schooling and lack of education may also be problems that those aging out of the system will struggle with. This can lead to trouble being accepted elsewhere to finish or start their schooling, as well as finding a job or starting a career.
Money and housing issues are some of the glaring issues facing young adults aging out of foster care. These issues may all stem from a lack of education and lack of work or work experience, which originate from the lack of support and help from their families and the foster care system.
For those looking for ways to get involved in the Foster Care system, there are many routes to helping. The 3 ways listed below are just some of the many other ways to help out.
Together We Rise is just one of many non-profit organizations around the U.S who are working to help children in the foster care system. Below are short infographics highlighting a bit about what they do for children in foster care. If you would like to learn more, the link to their website will follow.
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