WHAT WE WISH WE HAD KNOWN ABOUT FOSTER CARE | 7 Things We Learned While Foster Parents

The first paragraph of the script discusses the reality of foster children arriving with minimal or no belongings, highlighting the need for foster parents to be prepared. The narrators share their experience of an initial placement where the children had nothing but a backpack. They emphasize the importance of having essential items ready, such as clothes and shoes, and how they began to stock up by shopping at thrift stores and garage sales. The paragraph also touches on the rewarding feeling of providing for these children and sending them back home with more than they arrived with.

This paragraph delves into the challenges foster parents face when receiving new placements, particularly the lack of information provided by caseworkers about the children's backgrounds, allergies, or behavior issues. The narrators describe the emotional impact of family visits on foster children, which can lead to behavioral changes such as aggression or sadness. They stress the importance of understanding and preparing for these post-visit reactions, as well as the need for foster parents to work closely with case managers to provide valuable insights into the children's behavior.

The third paragraph emphasizes the importance of the relationship between foster parents and case managers. It illustrates how a strong collaborative relationship can contribute to a smoother foster care experience. The narrators share their growing empathy for case managers and the difficult situations they navigate. They also discuss the unpredictability of placement durations and the additional work involved, such as medical examinations, immunizations, and addressing educational and psychological needs, which are crucial for setting the children up for a better future.

This paragraph focuses on the role of Medicaid in covering the medical and educational needs of foster children. The narrators explain that Medicaid typically covers a wide range of services, including dental surgeries, glasses, eye exams, and immunizations, with orthodontics being a notable exception. They also mention the automatic enrollment of foster children in Medicaid and the ease of accessing necessary services using their ID numbers. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the benefits of free meals and daycare for foster children in Missouri.

The fifth paragraph discusses the outpouring of community support that new foster parents can expect, with people offering help in various forms, such as bringing food, clothing, and toys. While this support is generally positive, the narrators caution that it can also be overwhelming for the children, who may not be accustomed to so many new people and experiences. They advise foster parents to understand and respect the children's boundaries and comfort levels as they adjust to their new environment.

This paragraph shares a personal anecdote about helping foster children feel at home by providing them with personalized items, such as painting their own canvases with their initials. The narrators describe this activity as a way to make the children feel that the space was theirs and to help them enjoy the process of creation. This approach is presented as a method to alleviate anxiety and create a sense of belonging.

The final paragraph offers a practical tip for fostering parents to ensure the safety and comfort of both themselves and the children. The narrators recount their experience of using a door buzzer system to alert them if the children were up during the night, which helped alleviate their fears and also provided reassurance to the children about their safety. This tip is presented as a simple yet effective way to build trust and a sense of security in a new home environment.