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Evidence suggests a higher rate of child abuse in foster families than in the population of children as a whole. Emil Baldwin, Jr., LSW, addresses the complex stresses that may contribute to this statistic.

Continue reading Stress in the Foster Home

I think that you should have focused your article on the extraneous causes of stress in the foster home. From my 10 years experience as a foster parent, I have to say that most of our stress comes from the lack of professionalism given to foster parents and the paltry funding that is paid. You can't take care of a child on $400. a month and I think that's more than other states pay. We need benefits, insurance, discounts from car agencies and other financial support from the public and private sectors. Not enough attention is given to this factor and, when it is, when foster parents have a real voice in the community, you'll see fewer problems in foster care homes. A hot bath, even talking to the kids about their behavior doesn't cut it when you can't buy them the clothes they need or afford day care so you can go to work and make an income. Social services justdoesn't get it that someday, foster parents are going to say enough, we can't do this anymore without more financial support.