A Family For Every Child would like to thank you for believing that every child deserves a family. Your support has enabled A Family For Every Child to make a difference in the lives of our children in foster care. Because of your support, all of our programs have been busy serving children in foster care and families going through the adoption process. We hope you will find the following information helpful in understanding why we all need to work together. How the Child Welfare System Works The child welfare system is a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to care for their children successfully. While the primary responsibility for child welfare services rests with the States, the Federal Government plays a major role in supporting States in the delivery of services What Happens: • When possible abuse or neglect is reported • After a report is “screened in” • In substantiated (founded) cases • To people who abuse or neglect children • To children who enter foster care What Happens When Possible Abuse or Neglect Is Reported Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Most reports are made by “mandatory reporters”—people who are required by State law to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. What Happens After a Report Is “Screened In” CPS caseworkers, often called investigators, respond within a particular time period, which may be anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of maltreatment alleged, the potential severity of the situation, and requirements under State law. They may speak with the parents and other people in contact with the child, such as doctors, teachers, or child care providers. They also may speak with the child, alone or in the presence of caregivers, depending on the child’s age and level of risk. Children who are believed to be in immediate danger may be moved to a shelter, a foster home, or a relative’s home during the investigation and while court proceedings are pending. An investigator’s primary purpose is to determine whether the child is safe, whether abuse or neglect has occurred, and whether there is a risk of it occurring again. What Happens to Children Who Enter Foster Care Most children in foster care are placed with relatives or foster families, but some may be placed in group homes. While a child is in foster care, he or she attends school and should receive medical care and other services as needed. The child’s family also receives services to support their efforts to reduce the risk of future maltreatment and to help them, in most cases, be reunited with their child. Visits between parents and their children and between siblings are encouraged and supported, following a visitation plan. Every child in foster care should have a permanency plan. Families typically participate in developing a permanency plan for the child and a service plan for the family, and these plans guide the agency’s work. Reunification with parents, except in unusual and extreme circumstances, is the permanency plan for most children. In some cases, when prospects for reunification. In FFY 2010, 128,913 children leaving foster care (51 percent) were returned to their parents or primary caregivers. 50% of Them will return to care at least once. The median length of stay in foster care for these children was 33 months. Thousands "Age out" each year, at 18, alone and unprepared for life. From all of us at A Family For Every Child, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is only through the generosity and support of community members like you that we are able to make a real difference in the lives of our children in foster care. Together we can find a family for every child.

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Adoption Myths and Realities Myth Foster care adoption may cost less than private infant or international adoption, but it's still expensive. Reality The truth is that foster care adoption is not expensive, and there is financial support available for parents. Myth A biological parent can come to take an adopted child back. Reality This is a fear for two-thirds of the people considering adoption. However, biological parents have no way to gain back custody of the child or children once their parental rights are terminated. Myth 45% of Americans believe children in foster care have entered the system because of juvenile delinquency. Reality Children enter U.S. foster care through no fault of their own. Usually, they are victims of neglect, abandonment, or abuse. Children waiting to be adopted may be older but they are no less deserving of permanent families. Myth A single parent can't provide a healthy environment for an adopted child. Reality In fact, as the number of two-parent families decline, an increasing number of children live in single-parent homes. Recently, the number of single parents adopting jumped up to 31%. (Source: Adoptive Families magazine). Myth Same-sex parents are not capable of providing a healthy environment for an adoptive child. Reality Practically every valid study to date concludes children of same-sex parents adjust well and grow up in positive environments compared with heterosexual families. Myth No person over 55 can provide a healthy and loving environment for an adopted child. Reality This belief is held by 63% of Americans. In truth, almost one in four adopted children lives happily with an adoptive parent 55 years or older. Myth In order to adopt, you must be a “perfect” candidate and make a lot of money. Reality Children living in the foster care system are not in good conditions. An honest, loving family that can support them is better than the current situation of these children. Forever families come in all shapes and sizes. Statistics are from the National Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey, commissioned by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and conducted by Harris Interactive, November 2007 RESOURCES Adopt US Kids – Adoption Myths If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me any time! Linzy Munger A Family For Every Child Associate Director (541)343-2856 www.afamilyforeverychild.org

Meet Jose

Jose is a very bright and spirited child with lots of energy, and a great smile. He enjoys staying active and taking on new challenges and adventures. Jose is very bright and does well in the third grade, and works extremely hard to do the best work possible. He has great enthusiasm for extracurricular activities, and has great social skills. Jose is very musical and likes to sing in his church choir, his goal is to learn to play the guitar. He is also very involved with other church activities with his peers.

Jose has five siblings who he enjoys visiting with and he would very much like to maintain contact with them in the future. Jose really wants to find a forever family that he can call his own. He needs parents who are committed to help him grow in to a young man and continue to meet his ultimate potential.

Jose has experienced great loss over his life time, and is working through his issues of trust and adjustment during times of transition. Jose needs a family who can be patient and give him time to feel comfortable and safe while building new relationships. Continued counseling would benefit him in working through some of these issues. A Family who also has a good understanding of how to help a child over come feelings of neglect, multiple, placements, and past abuse would be best for Jose. He will need a family who can help him through his ups and downs and help him turn a new corner in his life full of stability safety and love. This child is a joy to be around and is capable of achieving great things in his life if given the opportunities.