Comments for Reflections of a Foster Youth

Comment on One Can Return Home Again!!! by chris

chris — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:16:46 +0000

Larry, thanks for sharing what so many of us feel….your blog may be a little bit long but it was for me and probably others sustenance for the soul. Take care my brother,take care.

Comment on Story of a Surviving Orphan Train Rider by Thiwa

Thiwa — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:25:56 +0000

Good Job & Thank You Share This….

Comment on 7 Yr. Old Foster Youth Hangs Himself! by Erin

Erin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:17:18 +0000

I take for granted my mother and all she does for me. I realize now that there are peple… kids who would want a person like her. After reading that article…
i honestly dont know what to say. Im sad for Gabriel because it seems as if all he really needed was for someone to love him, listen to him, and not give up on him. Im upset with the officials who had a hand in his placement because the signs that Gabriel may have been sucidal, were there but the report questions that fact. The foster homes are suppposed to help these kids, not sign their death certificate… in most cases.

Comment on Boys Town Alumni Choir on Utube by Joseph M. Anzalone

Joseph M. Anzalone — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:35:39 +0000

Well fellow section 4 Brothers…Father Schmitt…looked down from heaven and smiled on all of you and awaits all of you that sang and trained under his great knowledge of music …good for you….you sound great…hope I can be at the next convention..Love and Hugs to all of you “Hank the Tank”

Comment on Foster Care not the Best Way? by Ethical issues when serving the at risk populations in West Virginia « Southern Comfort: Welcome to our circle of friends.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:04:09 +0000

[...] This does not necessarily result in a lot of “bang for the buck” when one looks at the long-term outcomes of foster children – physical and metal illness, unemployment, low graduation rates (estimated around 50 percent), homelessness, incarceration. It is well-established that foster placement itself contributes to these factors. For example, major studies (from MIT, the University of Minnesota and the University of Chicago) have determined that except in extreme cases, children who remain in their homes have better outcomes than children with the same risk factors who are separated from their parents. But according to minutes of the Children’s Justice Initiative Task Force convened in 2006 by the North Dakota judiciary, resources to keep families together are mostly unavailable. It is one thing to spend money on gas and vehicle wear and tear to transport an extra child in the house; having to take a sick child on a long city bus ride to a walk-in clinic on a winter day is another, not to mention having a sick child, no cash in the house for bus fare and no phone. It is one thing to go through more laundry detergent and hot water; it’s another thing to scrub socks and underwear in the bathtub. Oftentimes the public simply cannot imagine the hurdles faced by families in poverty. Perhaps, if they could, they would be a little more willing to help them through these hurdles. Let’s work harder on preventing foster care in the first place. http://prairieguy.wordpress.com/2007/10/24/foster-care-not-the-best-way/ [...]

Comment on Should Gays/Lesbians be Foster/Adoptive Parents? by Rale Gethers

Rale Gethers — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:31:20 +0000

I agree…Like we need to be focused on the children. If a 2 men or 2 women want to adopt a child let them. One it is none of the govements or the courts business it a they are gay or not. If they aint having intercourse with the judge or the senotor or the representitive then its none of their business. I have a gay friend and he has tried to adopt and they asked me questions about him and his background. I think it is unfair the gay and lesbian community for people to be so noisey and not let them adopt or foster a child that needs the love. If a gay or lesbian family can keep one kid from going to the streets and turning bad then let them. God said do not judge others no matter what they be….People seem to forget that but they can remember God created Adam and Eve.. Its not fair at all.

Comment on One Can Return Home Again!!! by Joseph M. Anzalone

Joseph M. Anzalone — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:07:32 +0000

Sir Lawrence,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks for the update these are things that all of us will treasure for all of our days………………………………..Thank you

Comment on 2008 A Bad Year for Foster Care…Prospects for 2009!! by katherine murphy

katherine murphy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:40:43 +0000

this is so sad why are there so many people that arent willing to adopt those childern in fostercare need a home just like us who do i am fifteen i was in foster care at the age of 3 i hated it thank god my mom changed her mind or i might just be living whith a couple of strangers but in this case these childern need a couple of strangers to live a healthy happy life if my mom had not got me back or didnt whant me then i would have begged for someone to take me as their little girl so we need to go get these childern some homes and flipping stop complaning about what the economy is like if you dont enjoy working with this kind of thing then dont do it

Comment on The Basic Foster Care Facts! by Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:19:15 +0000

As a teen, I think that foster care is not what some troubled kids need. Foster care is not the answer to most situations. Courts threaten kids/teens everyday about jail, or being taken out of their home. Honestly I don’t think being taken away from their parents is the answer.

Comment on Foster Care Reimbursement Rates by Terri Soucek

Terri Soucek — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:15:02 +0000

Check to see if there is an NHS Human Services in your county and if there is , ask if they have foster care. Tell them you are interested in becomming a foster care parent. If this agency is not in your area, then google foster care agencies with a major city name in your area or check the yellow pages. You will want to stick with a private agency rather than go with your county’s Children and Youth because the stipend is considerably less and you would wind up digging into your own pocket to care for someone elses child. Nhs was the best agency I worked with. Keep in mind there are two different types of foster care- therapeutic (kids that are usually on psychotropic meds and have mental illness,are victims of severe abuse,or on probation) Regular foster care (kids are not so messed up). If you are up for a challenge and have experience with kids with mental health issues then I would try Therapeutic Foster Care. Good Luck!