As a therapeutic foster care agency, we work with counties all over to find homes for children that county foster homes aren’t able to care for. Unfortunately, teenagers often fall into this group, simply because of their age, and are frequently put into group homes because there are no foster homes available to them. But there are many perks to fostering an older child that people don’t realize!

1. Teens understand their situation

When children first come into foster care, or transition homes, it can be a difficult transition. For younger children, who don’t understand what is going on, this transition can be even more challenging. Frequently, though, older children understand what has been happening in their previous home and be able to grasp why they are in your home now. You can explain their situation to them, and they have a better understanding of what’s going on. In fact, some teenagers even share input on what kind of foster home they think they’d be a good fit in, and can appreciate the safety of your home, more than a younger child can.

1. Older children can communicate their feelings & needs more effectively than younger children

Really young children have a tough time communicating at all, and this is even more so the case when they are emotionally dysregulated and confused. When they cry, they may not even understand why, and therapeutic interventions can be tough for children before they’re verbal or able to share their thoughts. Teenagers, though, are able to express themselves more clearly, both in what they are feeling and in what may be upsetting them, and when necessary, can work with therapists on better sharing their thoughts and feelings. This makes it easier as a parent to understand how to intervene.

1. Teens can be somewhat self-sufficient and can work towards goals

Teens are working their way towards a goal of self-sufficiency. Many teens may already have a basic understanding of money, chores, hygiene, and the importance of setting themselves up for the future. With younger children, you spend a lot more time teaching the basics, but with teens, you can help them hone these skills for building their future!

1. You can share hobbies and interests

While a foster child, and a teenager, may not always want to hang out with you, you are much more likely to have something in common with a teenager. Whether that’s a video game, music, movies, sports, a hobby, or something else, there is likely to be something you can talk about and relate to, whereas younger children you likely don’t engage in many of their activities in the same way.

1. You can mentor and provide a home to someone who would otherwise have no one

When children age out of foster care, they’re left with no safety net. Between 30 and 45% of children who age out of foster care report being homeless at least once by the time they turn 26.
Imagine being able to provide a teenager with somewhere to call home while they start their first job, get their driver’s license graduate high school, move on to higher education, and more. These experiences are not possible for many teens who don’t have a foster home to move into, and can make all the difference in their future.
Want to hear someone’s experience fostering teens? https://fosteringperspectives.org/fpv13n2/minds.htm
More reasons to foster a teen: https://childcrisisaz.org/top-5-reasons-why-you-should-foster-a-teen/
A teen’s perspective on wanting a foster home: https://www.today.com/parents/teen-foster-children-search-place-call-home-t129675
Myths about adopting a teen in foster care: https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/360932-myths-about-adopting-teens-in-foster-care

For Children’s Sake is incredibly proud to announce that our foster care program, as well as our outpatient behavioral health program, received a three-year CARF Accreditation.
What Does This Mean?
CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers in the areas of Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Employment and Community Services, Medical Rehabilitation, Opioid Treatment Programs, and Vision Rehabilitation Services.
Our accreditation is a public commitment that we strive to:

• Involve persons served and their families in their service planning.
• Respect individual cultural preferences.
• Be accountable to our funding sources, referral agencies, and the community at large.
• Address health and safety concerns, such as building safety and emergency preparedness.
• Maintain management practices that are efficient, cost-effective, and based on outcomes and consumer satisfaction.

Receiving a CARF accreditation demonstrates For Children’s Sake’s quality, accountability, and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served.
To receive this is a huge honor, and we’re so proud of our whole team for the work they did, and do every day, to receive this accreditation. We wouldn’t receive this without the hard work that our staff and all of our supporters do every day.
For more information about CARF International, the standards, or the survey process, visit www.carf.org.

Donate to Our Kiddos This School Year!
For Children’s Sake is working towards a tough goal this year; to provide school supplies to all of our kids in care! Our foster parents are absolute super heros, getting all of the children in their home set up for success in this crazy COVID world. As some of the children in our care head back to school to support their Individualized Education Plans, and others stay at home, there are a lot of supplies our families need, and we’re hoping the community can support us during this time!
When visiting our Amazon Wishlist, make sure to check out using smile.amazon.com and chose For Children’s Sake as your charity of choice to have a portion of your total donated back to For Children’s Sake as well!