{"id":37154,"date":"2024-05-31T18:03:20","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T23:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/fostering-hope-the-importance-of-foster-families-in-our-community\/"},"modified":"2024-05-31T18:03:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T23:03:24","slug":"fostering-hope-the-importance-of-foster-families-in-our-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/fostering-hope-the-importance-of-foster-families-in-our-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Fostering hope: The Importance of foster families in our community"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Marcus blowing bubbles at the Free Foster Care Fest (Photo by Marnie Cook)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By Marnie Cook
\nNative Sun News Today Correspondent<\/p>\n

RAPID CITY \u2013 Every child deserves a safe and loving home. However, for a variety of reasons, some children in the Black Hills community find themselves in need of temporary out-of-home care. That is where foster families step in to provide stability and support during challenging times. However, there\u2019s a shortage of foster homes. Hoping to recruit new foster families, the Children\u2019s Home Society (CHS) of South Dakota sponsored the Free Foster Care Fest recently at Main Street Square.
\nRepresentatives from CHS and its supporting programs, the Department of Social Services Child Protection for Stronger Families (DSS), Lutheran Social Services (LSS), and Abbot House had set up booths to inform visitors as parents and children came to play, learn, and support the umbrella of organizations dedicated to the health of the community\u2019s children.
\nNichole Knepp, the Assistant Director at CHS said the need for foster homes in the Black Hills area is great. \u201cOn any given day, there are around 50 local children in foster care who do not have an appropriate placement. Some end up sleeping in offices, hotels, or an out-of-home facility away from family-like environments, because we don\u2019t have foster homes for them. This is why recruiting new foster families is important.\u201d
\nKnepp said that foster care is designed to be a temporary solution, with the goal of either reunifying children with their biological families, if it is safe to do so, or finding them a permanent adoptive home. The average length of time a child spends in foster care locally is around 12-18 months. During this period of transition, foster parents play a vital role in helping children heal from past trauma and continue growing into happy, healthy individuals.
\nMany people don\u2019t understand fostering, but Knepp said CHS is helping people with awareness and education. Knepp doesn\u2019t deny the challenges. These children have experienced abuse, neglect, traumatic life events, and often, the loss of their family. Some may have serious medical issues. Many have self-isolated to avoid being hurt again. Because of that, they have difficulty managing their emotions and may present challenging behaviors. These barriers can hinder meaningful connections and personal growth.
\nGuest speaker District 27 Representative Peri Pourier, addressing the small but attentive crowd, said it takes a village. \u201cIt sounds like a clich\u00e9, but it takes more than just a mom. It takes more than just a dad. It takes a whole community to really come together on days like this and say, \u2018we are going to commit every single year on this day to put our children first,\u2019 and when I say \u2018our children\u2019 I\u2019m talking about every child. Because every child deserves safe, loving environments where they can focus on being a kid. If you really want to keep your heart on how your community is doing, look at your kids. How are your kids? Do your kids get to play? Or do they look stressed?\u201d asked Pourier.
\n\u201cIt does take a village,\u201d Knepp nodded in agreement. \u201cWe struggle to find families that want to take on the challenges that come with the trauma that these children have gone through. We have to start somewhere to make our community aware. They don\u2019t have to fully commit but they can get involved a little bit at a time. They can get their feet wet, understand the process and maybe then they will decide to become licensed.\u201d
\nDespite the difficulties, foster parents find the rewards are well worth it. \u201cSeeing the smiles of children who are finally safe and cared for makes all the hard times fade away,\u201d said Pourier \u201cEven if it\u2019s just for a short time, you get to make a difference in a child\u2019s life story.\u201d
\nTo become a foster parent, individuals or families must complete pre-service training to understand the foster care system, learn parenting strategies for trauma-impacted children, and ensure their home meets safety standards. The Children\u2019s Home Society provides ongoing training, support groups and case management assistance to help foster parents every step of the way.
\nFinancial assistance is also available to help offset the costs of caring for foster children, such as food, clothing, school supplies and activities. Kinship caregivers \u2013 relatives who foster family members \u2013 may qualify for additional benefits. However, the most meaningful form of support comes from the community.<\/p>\n

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Representative Peri Pourier speaking at the Free Foster Care Fest (Photo by Marnie Cook)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWe need people who can occasionally help by providing a meal, doing some light housework or babysitting so foster parents can recharge,\u201d said Knepp. \u201cWhile fostering may seem intimidating, many find the experience profoundly rewarding in unexpected ways. \u201d
\nMany of the children on foster care are Native American. Pourier said foster parents have a unique opportunity to help Native children stay connected to their roots. \u201cYou are a bridge between their past and their future. When a Native American child can grow up with a strong connection to their culture, they gain a sense of pride and self-esteem.\u201d
\n\u201cWith over 50 children in our community still waiting for foster homes, more families are needed to open their hearts \u2013 and their doors.\u201d Knepp said with the right training and support system in place, almost any caring family can provide children with safety, stability, and hope during difficult times. \u201cIf you have a loving home to share, please consider becoming a foster parent. You could change a life forever.\u201d
\nRecently, the Children\u2019s Home Society has partnered with the Friends of Children He Sapa. Friends is a local chapter of a national branch based in Oregon. South Dakota News Watch says the local organization focuses specifically on Indigenous boys and girls from Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Reservation.
\n\u201cEvery family that steps up to foster makes our community stronger by investing in the future of our most vulnerable citizens \u2013 our children. Let\u2019s celebrate our children,\u201d said Pourier, \u201cand the culture that they come from, so that they are connected, and they can overcome any challenge that they face in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The post Fostering hope: The Importance of foster families in our community<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Marcus blowing bubbles at the Free Foster Care Fest (Photo by Marnie Cook) By Marnie Cook Native Sun News Today Correspondent RAPID CITY \u2013 Every child deserves a safe and loving home. However, for a variety of reasons, some children in the Black Hills community find themselves in need of <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> May 31, 2024<\/p>\n

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