South Carolina Foster Parent Association : About Foster Care

Children are placed in foster care for a variety of reasons and must live apart from their families for a period of time. At any given time there are thousands of children in South Carolina ranging in age from birth to 18 years normally, but up to 21 years in some cases, living in foster care. Some of them have resulted from neglect or abuse. they need someone to trust and depend upon while their own families are trying to find solutions to their problems.

When foster children are placed in a substitute living situation, they are given an opportunity to grow and develop to the best of their abilities during this painful time of separation from their families. Through the love and nurturing of foster families, children can feel secure until they are reunited with their families. Alternative plans include adoption or extended foster care arrangements.

Foster parents are individuals or couples licensed by their local Department of Social Services. They provide temporary care for children who can not reside with their families. Foster parents willingly open their homes to offer a safe and loving environment for children in crisis. They are special people whose greatest reard comes from the satisfaction of helping a child.

Children in foster care often maintain contact with their biological parents and other relatives, usually during prearranged visits supervised by caseworkers.

Some foster children stay only a day or two with foster parents. In other cases, they stay longer, until it is safe to return to their biological home.

In still other cases, the children become available for adoption, and foster parents may apply to adopt them, making them part of a permanent family. Foster parents adopt the majority of the Department of Social Services' adoptable children. Foster parents must undergo six additional hours of training if they wish to adopt.

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