A Time of Transitions …

By: Amanda Douglas

September is a time of transition. Kids are back in school, the weather is changing, and the first inklings of the holiday season are in the air. Fall décor and pumpkin spice begin to appear in all corners of American culture. As we embrace the transitions this season brings, may we also reflect on the underserved in our community.

Each year. Each month. Each day. Another child transitions either into or out of foster care.

Transitioning into Foster Care

Children are removed from unsafe environments and placed into new homes—whether through foster care or kinship care—where the goal is to provide stability, safety, and support during a critical time of transition.

Oftentimes, this transition blindsides them.

Where am I going? Why?

Depending on their age, it can be especially confusing. The trauma that such a transition causes often stays with them in some way, shape, or form for the rest of their lives.

Although their new environment might be safer, more structured, and even more comfortable, there is still a deep longing for their biological parent(s).

“Was it my fault?” they may ask.

As time passes, there may be a disconnect between having love and respect for their foster family while still longing for “home.” If bottled up, these emotions can cause harm to the child. Allowing foster children to express their feelings toward their biological families in an open and loving way—even if reunification is not possible—can help heal their torn hearts.

Transitioning into a New Foster Home

The Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that over one-third of foster children experience more than two placements each year, indicating frequent moves. This constant shifting from home to home can lead a child to become emotionally detached from others. That detachment—rooted in abandonment—can distort their understanding of the world around them and affect their relationship with God.

Transitioning out of Foster Care

Children eventually transition out of care. But where do they go?

Here are some stats:

Reunification: 44% of youth who exited foster care were reunified with their families
Adoption: 27% were adopted
Guardianship: 10% exited into guardianship placements
Aging Out: 8.5% of youth aged out of foster care

(Data from the National Council for Adoption.)

44% reunify with their parents. Their home is put back together. But that doesn’t mean the challenges are over. Trauma must be acknowledged. The risk of re-entry into care is real. The family unit is fragile.

Most government assistance that bio parents may have had is often cut off once reunification occurs. They now have their children back—but are these the same children who left? Can these parents not only navigate the issues that led to the removal in the first place but also help their children through the trauma they’ve endured? All with little to no support?

Eve’s Restoration Home and Aftercare

Eve’s Restoration Home plans to have a strong aftercare program for our residents. The mothers who come through our doors will be equipped with tools to thrive post-reunification. After walking alongside them through their checklists and helping them reunify with their children, our support won’t stop there.

Each resident will receive continued follow-up from staff or volunteers who will listen to their physical and emotional needs and encourage them to stay on track during this vulnerable period.

Reunification is possible, and it is the outcome foster care was created to fulfill.

Not Playing the Blame Game

Although foster care is a traumatic experience—and children are brought into care ultimately because of the actions (or inactions) of their biological parents—it’s important to remember that every circumstance is different, and all people make mistakes.

In Southern Illinois, 75% of children are taken into care due to neglect—the most common reasons being unstable housing and lack of resources. Due to the opioid crisis in America, the number of removals related to substance abuse has increased drastically in recent years.

Many of our future clients will likely enter our home due to substance abuse-related neglect. When someone hits rock bottom and chooses sobriety, the weight of their past actions can be overwhelming. Once the fog lifts and they begin to understand the consequences—not just for themselves but for their children—the guilt can be unbearable.

Instead of responding with anger or apathy, we can choose compassion.

We forgive because God, in Christ, forgave us.

If a sinner is repentant, we are called to help them in their time of crisis.

Now, are we saying reunification is always the answer?

Of course not.

But if the circumstances that led to removal can be remedied, then reunification is the best outcome. Our goal is to make that reunification as healthy and safe as possible.

Join Us

Are you interested in helping to empower mothers to rebuild and reunite their families?

Together, we can help build up safe families impacted by foster care!