Children First FFA

California has 62,000 children in foster care. According to Dr. John DeGarmo of the Foster Care Institute, the number of children being placed in the foster system has steadily been increasing nationwide while the number of foster parents has been decreasing. In Shasta County, the number of children entering foster care is more than twice the number of children entering care in the rest of California. For infants, the ratio is more than three times higher. This has lent to a massive shortage in an already limited pool of caregivers. [...]

For most, becoming a foster parent is a rewarding experience, but becoming approved to house foster children in the first place can be a long and arduous process. It is no secret that there are many income and background verifications that must take place. In addition to verifying your ability to properly support foster children, both emotionally and financially, your local agency will also require you to fulfill certain requirements in and around your home. Around the House Foster care agencies are tasked with finding safe and appropriate home environments [...]

Few skills are as important as emotional intelligence. It’s been shown to be a major factor in an individual’s ability to achieve success. Studies have shown that people with average IQs and high emotional intelligence outperform those with high IQs up to 70 percent of the time. They’ve also shown that those with high emotional intelligence tended to make an average of $29,000 more per year than those with low emotional intelligence! As a foster care parent, you have the opportunity to help at-risk children develop this very valuable skill. [...]

Each year, 26,000 American youth “age out” of the foster care system. In the past, these children lost everything including their homes, healthcare, financial assistance, and contact with social workers. This occurs after they may have already been abandoned, neglected, abused, and spent their lives cycling through foster homes. They are less likely to form strong bonds and may not have the same access to family support as biological children when they turn 18. Fortunately, federal guidelines have been put into place that require states to assist these youth with [...]

When a foster child comes to your home, you’re not only becoming a caregiver—you’re also becoming a teacher. Chances are, the child has not had the opportunity to learn practical life skills. You may be the first person to take her under your wing and teach these things. Even if the child ends up not staying at your home, he will carry those life skills with him and be much better equipped to face the world. Cooking Cooking is a very basic life skill. Without it, a child that ages [...]

As the need for two incomes has become more necessary many families are finding it difficult to make healthy choices. Parents are working more and their children are hooked on digital “babysitters”. However, with a little preparation, parents can promote healthy lifestyles for themselves and their kids. Plan ahead. Unlike pre-packaged and frozen meals, healthy meal options take some preparation. The first step in providing nutritionally-sound foods should include creating an actual menu before writing the shopping list. Knowing what side dishes will be served with which entrees will ensure [...]

Around 425,000 children are in the United States foster care system. Unfortunately, in many areas, there is an ongoing shortage of foster parents. While there may be a number of factors influencing this problem, it’s not as difficult to get started in foster care as some may think. Here is an overview of the process. Find a Local Foster Care Agency Every area will have a public foster care agency, as well as at least one private one. A private agency generally offers more personalized and prompt attention. You may [...]

With more than 62 thousand foster children in the California system, it is important for families to have the support and guidance needed to provide quality care. Luckily, children and parents in the foster care system are provided with many services to ensure the stable success of families. The services offered go far beyond those provided by standard state and county agencies. Social workers Foster care works best when foster parents and social workers work as a team to meet the children’s needs. Social workers are the first step and [...]