As of May 1, 2020, there are 31 foster families licensed with Rowan County Department of Social Services. Our families are 78% Caucasian, 19% African American, and 3% identified as having more than one racial heritage. Of our families, only 6% identify as having Hispanic/Latino origin. A little over half of our families identify themselves as LGBTQIA friendly, and almost all are interested in taking in sibling groups. Most do not have the capacity to take sibling groups larger than 3, especially if children are already placed with them. Almost half of our families are open to considering teenagers for placement.

It is nearly always a primary goal to support healing in families so children can safely return home. Since July 1, 2017, 211 children have achieved permanency, and 59 of these were reunified with the parents/caretakers from whom they were removed (28%). Reunification rates may change slightly from one year to the next, but 5 years of data indicate an average of 27% reunification rate.

Custody/Guardianship

When reunification is not safely possible, the court considers other alternatives in the child’s best interests. Of the 211 children that achieved permanence since July 1, 2017, almost 43% were placed in the custody or guardianship of a relative or other court-approved caretaker. Custody is the least legally permanent of the two options, and both are less permanent than adoption. Visitation with parents is court-ordered as part of the custody or guardianship arrangement unless visitation is determined to be not in the child’s best interest.

Adoption

When children are not able to safely return home or establish safe, permanent options with kin, adoption is an option. Since July 1, 2017, 19% of our children achieved permanency via adoption. Adoption is the most permanent option and is not possible without parents’ relinquishing their parental rights, the court’s order to terminate parental rights, or the death of biological parents. Sometimes children become “legally free” for adoption because of a combination of these factors. Adoption is the legal means of creating a new legal relationship between parent and child with all of the rights and responsibilities that would exist if the child was a biological child.

Other

A few youths are in our care when they reach age 18, an average of 10% since June 1, 2017. We offer these young people the option of remaining in care voluntarily until age 21 while we collaborate with them and their placement providers to support the achievement of independent living goals. For some, this means college or technical school, job search and support, basic life skill development, and possibly ongoing therapeutic interventions to position them to be able to work on other independent living skills. Some young adults are not interested in remaining in care, but they have the option of returning later if they are interested in entering an agreement to work and/or attend school. Our preference will always be safe, permanent homes for our children and youth, but for those youth who reach majority while in foster care, we remain committed to helping them navigate the challenges of starting life as an adult.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) 

NCTSN was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. This unique network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. 

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