Children's Foster Care Information
Ask the Experts by Susan Benson
Q: I have been hearing a lot about foster care lately and am considering getting involved. How can I help?
A: Let me start by giving you some information on foster care. Children's foster care is a short term solution to an emergency situation. Children in foster care have been separated from their biological families due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or death in the family. They are placed in a foster home until it is safe for them to return home.
In the State of Michigan there a currently 16,201 children in foster care. Approximately 4,544 of these children are from Wayne County! Every day, more children are coming into care and there are not enough foster homes to meet the current need. The State of Michigan and private foster care agency partners are working together to solve this crisis, but we need help from the community to develop more foster homes and support the children in foster care.
Being a foster parent is a fantastic way to help the children in your community. The rewards of becoming a foster parent are tremendous. Through fostering a child you have the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life by giving them the love and affection they deserve, and a sense of security and trust.
Not everyone is ready to become a foster parent. If you are not ready to foster a child, there are many other ways to make a difference! You can help by:
- Volunteering your time
- Mentoring a child
- Supporting someone you know who is a foster parent
- Encouraging a family member or friend to become a foster parent
- Sponsoring a child in foster care by donating school supplies, clothing or household items for a youth going to college or moving into their own home
- Hosting a party to raise awareness and funds
- Sponsoring an event
- Making a cash donation
- Spreading the word
With all this information, you are now armed with ideas to become involved in supporting a child who needs your help. To become a foster parent or get more information on how you can make a difference in the life of a child, call Judson Center at (313) 255-8263.
Susan Benson is the Wayne Regional Director for Judson Center. Judson Center is a non-profit human service agency that provides compassionate, comprehensive services to children and families in need. Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to provide more than 400,000 direct services to children, adults and families each year in 12 Michigan counties. To learn more visit www.judsoncenter.org. Judson Center is a member of The Family Center's Association of Professionals.
Save the Date
"Feet on the Street"
A community event to raise awareness of the need for foster homes will be held during the first three weeks of September and ends with a walk on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11am-2pm at Wayne County Community College (8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48219).
The Family Center, a 501C 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's hub
for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.
Please email your questions to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Celebrating a Decade of Commitment to Community Families Since 2000
