another place called home
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    • foster care month May 2020
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​​“Foster Care as a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for Parents...”

The theme of Foster Care Month, May 2020, revolves around support to families. The emphasis is, once again, “Foster Care as a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for Parents.”  This repeat emphasis reflects a continuing concern that the foster care system, as a social safety net, is failing. Concurrently, the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018, brings enormous change to a system already in turmoil.

There are a number of trends that continue to place the foster care system under strain. These still include: An increase in the number of children removed due to drug abuse by parents; strained budgets for agencies supporting foster youth; the controversy over privatization; a stagnant income for most Americans; a shortage of foster parents and lack of training for them; and, of course, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives of foster children.

Also, it  is becoming clear that already traumatized youth are in need of specialized support programs. How does the emphasis on placement with family help these children?


Since the theme for 2020 is unchanged, here’s a review of some of the major news stories  about foster care coverage from 2019 after establishment of the Family First Act....
​
media coverage of foster care in 2019 after the establishment of the Family First Act
  • “this New Law Will Change Foster Care As We Know It” - PewTrusts.org, May 2018
  • “As Drug Crises Surge, Babies Enter Foster Care at a Higher Rate” - PewTrusts.org, April 2019​​
  • “Horrific Failure of Oregon Foster Care System Called Out in New Federal Lawsuit” - The Oregonian, April 2019
  • “New Program Visualizes Foster Care Placement Instability” - PublicNewsService.org, February 2019
new media coverage of foster care in 2020 with attention to the Covid-19 virus and foster care issues
  • “Coronona Virus Leaves Foster Children With Nowhere to Go”- The Marshall Project.org , March 2020
  • “0hio will provide funding to extend foster care for children set to turn 18 amid corona virus crisis” - the Plain Dealer, Cleveland.com
  • “With the Corona Virus, America’s Foster Care System Is at a Tipping Point” - Boston Globe.com, April 2020
  • “Pandemic Shutdown Separates Parents from their Children in the Foster System” - BetterCare Network.org April 2020

An Announcement...

We’re happy to announce that Kirkus Reviews has included “Another Place Called Home: Surviving Foster Care” in its June 2020 selection of “17 Great Indie Books Worth Discovering.” This important recommendation came just as Foster Care Month 2020 has been commemorated, and it is a very important publishing milestone for us, especially as it highlights our status as an indie publisher!

- comment by the author
anotherplacecalledhome.com
​Copyright
© 2018 Susan DuMond
  • Home
  • dust jacket
    • the book covers
    • preface to the book
    • about the author
    • about the Home
  • get a copy
  • youth foster care
    • foster care system
    • foster children
    • aging out
    • mentoring
    • foster care month May 2020
  • contact