Foster Care Statistics Poll Commissioned by CASA
August 13, 2009
Interesting results from recent poll on foster care. Thanks to Lin at childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org for sending our way!
A national online Harris Poll commissioned by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association found that most adults know little about foster care or the experience of children in care. The poll was conducted in December 2008 and gathered data from 2,281 adults about their impressions of the foster care system and its impact on children. Results were weighted to reflect the whole U.S. population. Key findings indicate the following:
83% of adults knew very little about the experience of children in care.
31% knew someone who was or had been in foster care.
45% reported negative impressions of foster care, and 11 percent reported positive impressions (the remainder were neutral or did not have enough information to decide).
11% thought that children were in foster care because of something the children did, although the majority strongly disagreed and tended to blame the biological parents.
87% agreed that improving the foster care system should be a national priority.
In a press release about the poll’s findings, the National CASA Association contrasted the poll results with a focus group study conducted earlier in the year with 50 youth currently or formerly in foster care. These youth present a different picture, with many of the youth developing into determined individuals, optimistic about their future. They felt that the difficulties they had faced had made them stronger. Many cited disruptions in schooling and problems finding resources after leaving foster care as major obstacles; however, they noted that the support of a significant adult—like a CASA volunteer—can help them overcome some of these challenges. For more information, visit www.casanet.org.
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3 Responses to “Foster Care Statistics Poll Commissioned by CASA”
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good website.
i feel that being a foster child myself, that children are not being taken care as good as they should. The government has little if any regulations on being a foster parent. there are few background checks and visits to the home
My name is Brianna Baucum. I am 19 years old and aged out of Foster Care on June 1, 2009. I remember the weeks before I aged out i was like I am so excited im about to be grown. Cant no one tell me what to do at 18. I look back and thank God I didnt get put on the street at 18, I thank God I didnt burn all my bridges because I thought i was grown. However
What do you do when… You still Cant drive and its a phobia to cross the street due to being shelterd and used to the system and its tactics? What do you when you are in Walmart because Your afraid you are going to get left by your friends just as you did when you were dropped off at the DFPS office?
What do you do when Holidays approach and you are in the dormitory and you have no place to call home and when you do you have no good memories to remanace about because in reality you are just a Guest?
What do you do when your benefits run out. Better yet what do you do when you are on the straight and narrow and you feel you dont need them anymore however you seem to be losing out on the relationships within the benefits?
What do you do when your sick? Who do you call.
What do you do when things run low? who do you call…
What do you do when you want to talk and due to confidentiality you cant talk to your staff that said they were there…?
What do you do when the state labels you from jump street, and you fight and try to go against the odds.. and you fall that one last time… that time where your chances have run out. The time when you are actually Grown and Foster Care is the past! And foster care is no longer your crutch, your support, but now your inspiration and stumbling block.
You thank Whatever higher power or source you think Got you there. Because I am a living witness, and testimony that through all the brigdges i have burned there is atleast one i have crossed two i have rebulit and a lifetime that i have yet to tread… I am thankful..
Brianna Baucum Foster Youth/ Alumni Psychology and Social work Major/ Advocate for Foster Youth