There are some serious problems in foster care. One solution to a lot of these issues is PERMANENCY.
“Simply put, “permanency” means family. It means having positive, healthy, nurturing relationships with adults who provide emotional, financial, moral, educational, and other kinds of support as youth mature into adults.” (https://jlc.org/news/what-permanency-and-why-should-you-care)
The lives of foster children transform when they attain permanency. Permanency is fairly broad. It can include reunification with parents or relatives, guardianship, adoption, or even long term connection to a service provider. At the end of the day, foster children desire love and care. They want people they can depend on; someone to help them when things do not go their way. The good news is there are lots of ways to do that!
One of the reasons we do Camp 1:27 is to provide some permanency for children. We realize that some children will be in care far too long. We want to provide a place for them to come where they know they will receive care, love, and have great fun. Our returning campers love coming back. Foster parents tell us all the time that their kids will not stop talking about camp.
We have families who have reached permanency by adopting children or allowing emancipated youth to remain with their family forever.
Our friends at Second Shift recruit mentors to invest in the lives of young adults who have aged out of foster care. They are equipping these mentors with the ability to guide these young adults to lifelong success and independence. There are other foster care ministries and organizations doing great work in our state too.
Permanency is Key. The quicker our foster children achieve it, the better off they are. In what ways can you help foster children & youth achieve permanency? Are you being called to foster and/or adopt? Are you called to mentor foster youth or alumni?
For more info, please read: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/permanency/