What Are The Challenges That Foster Children Face?
When a child is taken from their parents and placed in a foster home, there is often uncertainty for both the child(ren) and the parent(s). The policy of the Department of Children and Families “is to strengthen and encourage family life so that every family can care for and protect its children.”
DCF recognizes foster care as “a temporary solution and requires the Department and the parent(s) to direct their efforts toward reunification of the child(ren) and parent(s).” The Department’s goal is to make all reasonable efforts to keep the families together. It is important that during the time children are in temporary care, they have access to their parents.
In a study posted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), researchers found that children who had no contact with their birth parents while in foster care had higher levels of depression. This situation often leads to questions about parents’ rights against DCF and the importance of maintaining family connections to mitigate these issues. The study revealed that foster children also externalize behavior problems compared to foster children who had contact with their birth parents,
How Can We Help Them and Their Families?
The Child Welfare Information Gateway encourages foster parents to develop a relationship with birth parents to promote reunification. The Child Welfare Information Gateway interviewed several foster parent agencies. From these interviews, it was determined that attitudes, expectations, and family-centered actions could have a significant impact on children.
Research by Child Welfare highlighted the need for open and honest communication between the foster and biological parents. A biological parent that was involved with child welfare advocates for the use of CHAT, communicating history, and transition. Chat is “a time for both parties to ask whatever questions they want. It is a safe environment. This research also advises that birth and foster parents alike work with the caseworker. Caseworkers are crucial to the reunification process. Caseworkers can be an essential bridge from the birth parents to the foster parents.
Keeping an open mind and heart is another vital step for the foster parent and biological parent relationship. It is essential that the foster parent recognize that children are not placed in foster care because they are unloved but because their parents are dealing with a specific problem. A child being removed from their biological parents’ care can be a traumatic experience. Foster parents, social workers, and biological parents need to work together to ensure that the children are being taken care of and supported emotionally.
According to the above-mentioned studies, it is in the best interest of the child for the foster parent, DCF social worker and the biological parent to have open and honest communication. This collaborative approach is essential during the DCF investigation process, ensuring that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities, aiming for the welfare and best interest of the child.
Kevin Seaver is an experienced, trusted lawyer who successfully represents clients against DCF from Boston, Massachusetts. Call Kevin at (617) 263-2633 or request a Consultation online!
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.
Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.
Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.
Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances. Thank you.
Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.
