Month in Review: April 2025

In April, we received 67 referrals for foster care, down just slightly from 69 in March. Let's break down this number:

Age:

• 0-2: 4 children
• 3-5: 11 children
• 6-8: 10 children
• 9-11: 9 children
• 12-14: 18 children
• 15-17: 14 children
• 18+: 1 child

Sibling Groups:

• 28 single children
• 5 sibling groups of 2
• 7 sibling groups of 3
• 1 sibling group of 6
• 1 mother/baby (a teenage mom and her baby both needing care)

Behind these simple numbers, each of these precious children has a name. And as the person who reads each and every referral day in and day out, many of these names are familiar to me. Why? Because sadly, many children are referred over and over again, month after month, because they either haven't found a home or they have been placed in a home that didn't work out and they need to be moved again.

Something many people don't consider about the foster care crisis we are currently experiencing is what happens when there aren't enough foster homes. Where do children go when there are no available foster families to take them in? Heartbreakingly, many of these children are stuck in hospitals, group homes, youth shelters, residential treatment facilities, or other less than ideal living situations until a home can be found. We heard a story recently from a county worker about a very young child who remained in an inpatient diagnostic program long after completing the program, simply because they had nobody to be discharged to. The child was confused about why all of the other children came in and then left, and they were still there. "Please," the county worker asked me, "You must have SOMEBODY who can take this child." But sadly, we didn't. All of our homes were either too full, looking for a different kind of child, or did not feel confident in managing this child's needs.

I heard another story about a child who has been in 3 foster homes since March, and the county is now looking for a fourth home. The child was described as very sweet and loving, but struggling with behaviors due to a diagnosis of ADHD and a recent medication change.

Not only do we need more homes, but we need more homes who will say "yes" to these extra vulnerable children - the ones who feel like everyone has abandoned them. As both a mom and a former child, it absolutely breaks me to think about the depth of sadness of a child who doesn't have the unconditional love and acceptance of a family and a home. One thing that sadly rings true in the world of foster care is that things that may have gotten you put in timeout or grounded as a child, often make our children lose their homes and families, be admitted to hospitals or treatment facilities, or even get them involved with the police or juvenile justice system. Although we as professionals work tirelessly to help kids, sadly the system ends up traumatizing them further in many cases.

But there is hope! In April, we admitted one child into our foster care program. That child is an older teen, who had experienced a lot of the sadness I described above. We are so very thankful that we had a foster parent who was willing to say "yes" to this precious child and give them a chance to experience the love and belonging of a family.

Would you like to learn about how you can be that person to say yes? Contact us to learn more!

Want to receive monthly recaps and other helpful content delivered to your inbox each month? Sign up for our email newsletter here.