what is foster care?

What is Foster Care?
Foster care is intended to be a temporary home for children who cannot live with their biological families due to safety concerns. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite children with their families, but adoption may become an option. There are approximately 400,000 children and youth experiencing foster care across the United States.
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The Challenges:
Foster care, while crucial for child safety, can present unique challenges. Many children in foster care face academic instability due to frequent moves, impacting their ability to thrive in school. Additionally, statistics show that youth in foster care experience higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration compared to their peers who are not in foster care. Children experiencing foster care may also struggle with mental health challenges, often due to the trauma they have experienced.

How Foster Care Works:

• DFCS and DCFS: The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) under DCFS manages foster care placements, investigating child safety and placing children in homes when necessary.
• Foster Parents: Licensed and trained individuals or families open their homes to provide temporary care. Foster parents play a critical role in providing emotional support and stability.
• Family Reunification: The goal of foster care is often to reunite children with their biological families, provided it is safe. This process may involve therapy, family support, or other services to ensure a healthy environment for the child.
• Adoption: When reunification is not possible, adoption by foster families or others may be an option.

Our Mission at Atlanta Angels:
The ripple effects of time in foster care can have long-lasting impacts, but our North Star is to change these statistics. The Atlanta Angels mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
For more information on how you can help change the narrative for children in foster care, visit our website to learn how you can get involved!

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