We all want to belong – to be accepted in a group. We want to socialize and hang out with people with whom we have common interests. These desires play out in different ways – enjoying a sleepover with friends, good times sharing a cabin at summer camp, and partying in a college dorm room. When the fun subsides and enough is enough you want to go home right? Teens in foster care are more likely to be placed in institutional settings like group homes instead of being placed in home environments. For many teens, their group home experience isn’t exciting or relaxing and they don’t have another home to retreat to when they need or want privacy, encouragement, or a little quiet time.
I understand that a group home may allow young people to “see” that they are not alone. It may provide an opportunity to understand that other youth are in foster care because they have experienced similar traumas, challenges, or disappointments. A major missing link in the group home experience is regular, individualized attention and support. Group homes are often very restrictive in hopes of ensuring resident safety. Often there isn’t any “extra” money to allow youth to engage in extra-curricular activities that enhance social skills and increase self-confidence. Most group homes do not have designated staff assigned to “chauffer” young people to practice and sporting events, musical concerts, or art exhibits if the funding were available for them to take part.
A family centered environment helps prepare young people for reconnection with their biological family when appropriate, adoption into a new family, or preparation for parenthood or creating a safe family of their own. I understand that there are a variety of factors that can make it unsafe for a young person to live at home or reside in a foster home. I am simply suggesting that a foster home is the preferred out of home placement.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.