There are many types of foster care settings. These include group homes, emergency shelters, and residential care facilities. Maybe the most recognized setting is family foster care, where a child lives with a family in their home. While other settings may be appropriate for children for specific reasons, family foster care provides the most normalized setting. Here are valuable reasons why this is an ideal option for children in need.
Builds Resilience
According to a recent Stanford University study, neglected children who are placed in family foster care early in life are more likely to exhibit adaptive functioning. This includes mental health, physical health, peer relationships, and academic performance. In comparison, children who remained in an institutional setting do not exhibit this function. It appears that this foster care serves a protective function when introduced early in life.
Offers Stability
Stability has been linked with multiple positive outcomes for children in the foster care system. The more stable the environment—and the lower the number of placements—the better the outcome. Therefore, family foster care offers a stable and less chaotic setting than institutions or struggling families.
Cute young girl peeking behind a draw of her family, room interior on the background.
Access to Resources
Children in family foster care have access to many resources that they would otherwise be without. Foster care parents are trained to offer their guidance and support to needy children. The presence of a caring and competent adult has been shown to be important for children in reaching positive developmental outcomes. In addition, children in this foster care receive the physical, educational and emotional help they require.
Learn More About Family Foster Care
At TFI, we want to help children and families in the foster care system succeed. Our services are designed to provide the optimal foster care environment. Helping a foster child is a gift whose value cannot be measured. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a foster parent, or helping us with our important mission.