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Parents explore foster care as adoption door-opener

By Melissa Hirschl

While the words “adoption” and “foster care” usually aren’t synonymous, a little-known methodology proves the terms don’t have to be mutually exclusive, either.

For those considering adopting a child, an avenue to consider involves a  program run by Arizona Action for Foster Care, an organization allowing adults to become adoptive, foster, emergency-care or substitute foster parents.

While foster parents do adopt in some cases, agency officials emphasize, there are no guarantees.

“A lot of foster kids who become available for adoption are adopted by their foster parents, or through our adoption program, but the majority of kids in foster care either go to relatives or go back to their birth families,” says Beverly Crawford, director of Arizona Action.

Still, a substantial number of would-be parents may enter the foster-parenting program with the goal of adopting a child they have cared for, Crawford says.

It’s not a strategy that Arizona Action necessarily promotes, she says, but can provide assistance with in some situations.

The need

While most children in Arizona are flourishing in stable, loving homes, there are many abused and neglected children who languish in shelters because of an acute need for adoptive and foster parents, according to Crawford.

The sobering statistics relate that, in September alone, the state had 279 children who needed emergency care, 115 of whom were under the age of 5.

“They have a bed, food, clothes and they’re safe, but it isn’t the same as being in a secure home,” says Crawford.

Since 1976, Arizona Action for Foster Care has been a pivotal force in the East Valley community, matching foster children in Maricopa County with loving and caring licensed foster families.

The nonprofit agency is funded by donations, private sector grants and contracts with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

In addition to providing homes for children, the organization offers extensive training for foster and adoptive parents, in-home support and family events, such as holiday parties, camping trips, skating parties and various social events.

Orientation for prospective parents is held once a month, and the hour and a half meeting provides answers to questions and comprehensive information about what the program involves.

Interested people are assigned someone from the office who works with them to get their home study done, either for foster care or adoption.

“While they are in training, they are in the process of providing us with all necessary information the state mandates,” says Crawford.

All adults in the home have to be fingerprinted and provide thorough medical forms, references and information pertaining to marriages and divorces. The information is used to prepare a home study, which goes to the court for the adoption certification process, according to Crawford.

For foster parents, information goes to the Department of Economic Security.

Besides being an adoptive or foster parent, there is another avenue for adults to take in order to make a difference in the lives of these children.

The agency likes to put children under five in “emergency receiving homes,” licensed foster homes that are available around the clock to take care of kids.

“When you’re in this position,” says Crawford, “you may get a phone call from the police that they’ll be there in a couple of minutes with kids. Most of these don’t stay very long, though, because a relative usually shows up and takes the kids.”

Crawford is definitely someone who walks the talk.

Years ago, she adopted 25 foster kids over a 15-year period.

“We never had more than two or three at a time, and I was a stay-at-home mom,” says Crawford.

“I would definitely do it again if I had the energy. The biggest thrill was knowing that I was there when a child needed me; there was also the intense satisfaction that came with knowing I provided stability in their lives.”

The biggest challenge Crawford says she has encountered during her foster parenting years has been being supportive of the kids despite their family situation.

“You have to be neutral,” she says, in order to keep the children’s self esteem intact. “These kids love their parents regardless of what the parents have done to them.”

Another hurdle for adoptive and foster parents is the knowledge that these kids may not fit in with the pattern of your family; flexibility is crucial.

“Some of these kids have no idea about social skills such as picking up after themselves or taking baths,” says Crawford.

“You can’t expect the same behavior from these children as you expect from your own.” 

For more information on adopting children, or becoming a foster parent, call Arizona Action for Foster Children at (480) 345-9555.

Information sessions are 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 11.

The center is located at 4665 S. Ash Ave., Suite G-11, Tempe, although the location for the information session is Suite G-10.

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