Foster Care Coordinator Makes a Case for Family Preservation

Foster care is designed to protect children from unsafe or unhealthy home environments. However, research and lived experiences reveal that children overwhelmingly desire to remain connected with their biological families, even when those families have faced significant challenges. Studies show that 40% to 60% of children in adoptive homes still express a longing to reunite with their birth families.

Cassie Black, of Connected Foster Care, believes in honoring this deep-rooted emotional attachment and prioritizing family preservation whenever possible. At the recent launch of the 100 Families Initiative in Independence County, Black spoke on the significance of keeping biological families together by offering the necessary support to reduce the need for foster care.

While foster care provides an immediate physical safety and stability, it also presents challenges. Children who are removed from their homes often experience emotional distress, loss of identity, and difficulty adjusting to new environments.

"Many children experience a complex emotional response to adoption," notes Black, "as the bond with their birth parents remains really strong, despite the reason for removal." The trauma of separation can have long-term psychological and physiological effects, making it essential to address family issues proactively rather than resorting to removal as the first solution.

By providing parents with necessary tools and resources, such as counseling, parenting classes, and financial assistance, families can overcome hardships and create stable, nurturing environments for their children.

"Supporting families through services that promote family preservation is not just beneficial for the children, it’s beneficial for a whole community," emphasizes Black. The goal is not just to reunite families after separation but to prevent separations from happening in the first place.

Moreover, supporting families through preventative services is also a cost-effective approach. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, family preservation services can be up to 50% less expensive than placing children in foster care or adoption programs. These savings can then be redirected to other vital child welfare initiatives.

"Children thrive best when they’re in stable, nurturing environments, preferably with their biological families," claims Black and the research supports this statement. The Journal of Family Psychology indicates that children who remain with their families through support programs demonstrate better emotional regulation and social adjustment compared to those placed in foster care. When given the support they need, parents can provide the necessary care, structure, and emotional security that children require to succeed.

Family preservation also plays a crucial role in maintaining a child’s cultural and social identity. Children who are removed from their biological families often struggle with feelings of abandonment and confusion about their heritage. When families are kept intact, children remain connected to their cultural roots, their language, and their community, which strengthens their self-esteem and long-term emotional health.

While family preservation is the ideal outcome, it is not always possible. There are situations where children must be removed from unsafe environments for their protection. However, even in such cases, the ultimate goal should be reunification whenever it is safe and feasible.

"The key here," Black explains, "is comprehensive support for preventing family separation, which requires providing services to address the root cause of why families are struggling in the first place. By investing in these efforts, we can work toward a future where fewer children experience the trauma of separation and more families are equipped to stay together.

Members of the 100 Families Initiative share this vision as they address all factors contributing to family crises—such as substance abuse, mental health struggles, and poverty—by creating a holistic care team offering necessary resources and support to provide a stable home environment.

Black maintains that family preservation is a commitment to the future of our children and our communities and that as members of the community, we all have a role to play in this mission. Whether through advocacy, volunteer work, or supporting organizations dedicated to family preservation, we can contribute to creating a society where every child has the opportunity to grow up in a stable, loving home.