Who Are the Children?
Thousands of children in North Carolina enter the foster care system each year, and range in age from infants to 18 years old. All foster children have unique backgrounds, experiences, personalities, strengths and needs. Some children in foster care require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps and disabilities. Some also require help with undisciplined and delinquent behaviors. Most foster children do not have a strong sense of belonging or self-worth. Many have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. All children who are in foster care require special care, support and nurturing.
Reasons Children Come into Care
_ 1. Abuse
a) Physical
b) Sexual
c) Emotional
2. Neglect
3. Drug or alcohol dependency
4. Homelessness
5. Illness
a) Physical
b) Sexual
c) Emotional
2. Neglect
3. Drug or alcohol dependency
4. Homelessness
5. Illness
Greatest Areas of Need for Foster Care
_
- Ethnic or racial minority groups
- Older children
- Sibling groups