Foster Care in Georgia
All children in the care of a child welfare agency are dealing with issues of trauma. The most common reason children come into state care is neglect, but also as a result of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Even in the worst of scenarios, leaving home to stay with unknown people in an unknown place can result in additional trauma. When children are moved from a home, it is estimated that they lose four to six months of academic or developmental progress.
Meet Ylva: Fostering Love Through Sibling Bonds
What Types of Children are in Foster Care?
Most often the children referred to us are sibling groups, teenagers, infants and children with specialized medical or emotional needs. Our greatest need is for families to foster children age 10 and up and sibling groups. We ask our families to be approved to care for more than one child as we know that separating siblings results in additional trauma for children, which we try to avoid when possible.
How Long are Children in Foster Care?
The length of time a child spends in foster care depends on their family’s circumstances and the support services available to help them return home safely. While in foster care, children typically have visits with their families, usually held in community settings rather than in the foster home.
Most of our children are eventually reunited with their families. If reunification isn’t possible, we work towards adoption, often considering the foster parents for this role. Wellroot provides support throughout the adoption process, and the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) remains the child’s legal custodian until reunification or adoption is finalized.
