May is Foster Care Awareness Month!

In Wisconsin, over 6,500 children are currently in out-of-home care. Over a thousand are awaiting adoptive families.

Wisconsin's foster care system operates under a state-run, county-administered model. This means that while the state sets overarching policies, individual counties manage day-to-day operations. Foster care provides a temporary, safe, and nurturing environment for kids when their families are unable to care for them due to any number of challenges. The primary goal of foster care is to reunify children with their families whenever safely possible.

Foster parents are vital partners in the child welfare system. They provide stability and support to children during times of uncertainty, helping them heal and thrive. Foster parents also work collaboratively with birth families and child welfare professionals to facilitate reunification or, when necessary, pursue adoption or guardianship.

To support foster parents, Wisconsin offers the Uniform Foster Care Rate, a reimbursement program that covers the cost of caring for a foster child. This includes a basic maintenance rate, supplemental and exceptional rates for children with higher needs, and an initial clothing allowance.

Maintaining connections with relatives and familiar caregivers is a priority in Wisconsin's foster care approach. Kinship care, where children are placed with relatives or close family friends, helps preserve family bonds and cultural ties. This practice supports children's emotional well-being and can lead to more stable placements.

Despite the dedication of many, Wisconsin faces challenges in its foster care system. There is a critical shortage of licensed foster homes, particularly for older youth and sibling groups. In Dane County, for example, the number of foster homes has decreased significantly over the past decade.

How You Can Help:

Become a Foster Parent: Open your home to a child in need. Learn more about the process at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Support Foster Families: Offer respite care, donate supplies, or provide mentorship to foster families in your community.

Advocate and Educate: Raise awareness about the needs of children in foster care and the importance of supporting the system that serves them.

By coming together as a community, we can ensure that every child in Wisconsin has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving, and supportive environment.

For more information and resources, visit:

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/fostercare/parent

For Dane County:

https://www.danecountyhumanservices.org/.../Out-of-Home-Care