What is Foster Care?
Written by: Hannah Adkison
The Child Welfare system exists across the United States to protect vulnerable children, ages 0-18yo. At any point in time, someone can report concerns for the abuse or neglect of a child. The categories are as follows:
Physical Abuse: a non-accidental physical injury that occurs or is inflicted by a caregiver
Sexual Abuse: sexual assault or exploitation of a child by an adult or other child, whether by sexual acts or the distribution of sexual materials of that child. This can include exposure to pornographic materials or other non-touching behaviors.
Neglect: a failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. This can include not providing food, water, clothing, or shelter. It can also look like not seeking appropriate medical care, not ensuring a proper education, or not adequately supervising a child due to a variety of reasons such as domestic violence, substance use, or mental health concerns.
Emotional Abuse: pattern of humiliation, insults, and general fear instilled in a child that creates long-term and lasting negative effects on a child’s health and development.
If you ever suspect child abuse or neglect, it is important that you call your local child abuse hotline. Orange County’s hotline is 714-940-1000.
What is a CPS Investigation?
The following is an oversimplification of the investigative process but serves to educate on what happens when a report is made.
When a county receives a call, their teams will determine if a particular concern warrants an open case. It is important to note that Child Protective Service agencies do not need as much evidence as law enforcement, but they do still need some. They may ask you questions about what you know, when you last saw the concerns occur, and if you’re available for follow up questions if the case is opened. You remain anonymous as a reporter and your identity will not be disclosed to the family or other non-CPS entities.
1. If a case is opened, CPS may go out and determine that no abuse or neglect is occurring. These cases are closed, with CPS potentially providing community resources if helpful.
2. If a case is opened, CPS can determine that while circumstances may or may not amount to abuse or neglect, it is not enough to remove the child from the home. They may offer services and request increased supervision in the home. This is so that children can remain with their family of origin as much as possible.
3. If a case is opened and CPS determines that abuse or neglect has occurred and it is no longer safe for the child to remain in the care of their parents or caregivers, they are removed. At this time, and through the legal system, the parent’s rights are temporarily withheld. The child becomes a “dependent of the state,” which means that California now has parental authority and can make decisions for them such as where to live, where to go to school, and what medical care to receive. That is where foster care begins.
Placement Options
When a child is removed in Orange County, they are taken to Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC), an emergency shelter run by OCSSA.
While our Foundation and OCFC share a common name, we are not the same organization. Over 40 years go, our donors fundraised to build the home, promptly turning it over to the county to own and steward. We appreciate all OCFC does in our county and continue to partner with them to care for kids in need.
Here they receive medical care and await placement. This can be a very traumatizing time for children, since no matter how unsafe they were at home, now they are in a very new and vulnerable position. The county works diligently to find relatives or family friends who might be able to take these children in. Again, the hope is that children’s lives could remain intact as much as possible.
In the event that no family or friends are appropriate or available, the county will seek out Foster Family Homes (or Resource Family Homes) as temporary placement options. These are individuals who have elected to temporarily care for children in the foster care system and are usually approved through the county or private agencies.
What’s the Goal?
The goal for the entire Child Welfare system is permanence for a child, with a priority on reunification: we want to see families reunited where it is possible and safe. While children are in the care of the state, parents or caregivers are tasked with rehabilitative programs and goals in order to be able to receive their parental rights back in full. This may look like detox and drug rehab, classes and therapy for domestic violence, or the proven ability to hold a job, pay rent, and provide food for a child. The county and its lawyers/judges determine the details of the parents’ case.
Cases can take anywhere from 1 to 3 years to find resolution and permanence. Permanence can be defined at a permanent, stable living situation, whether that be back with mom and dad, with relatives, or in a foster/adopt home. Permanency Planning is a major component of a child’s case goals while in care.
If no suitable relative is found, children are placed with a foster family (if available), tasked with caring for this child’s needs in all manners: food, clothing, love, and safety. These families have undergone extensive background checks, home visits, interviews, and training in order to ensure they will be appropriate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They understand that permanency is vital to a child’s growth and development and will advocate for that within their own home and throughout their time with a particular child.
YCP Dorms
With a disproportionate number of teens in the foster care system, Youth Connected Program aims to provide stability, permanence, and support to both its foster families and the youth we serve together. With our innovative 5:2 model, providing educational opportunities in a dorm-like setting and in-home social work support, our youth have the best chance at a positive outcome beyond high school graduation.
We will continue to share more about the foster care system, the needs of foster youth, and how you can get involved. Email us any questions you’d like answered at ycp@orangewoodfoundation.org.