According to the DCS Quarterly Benchmark Progress Report 3QSFY20, Quarter 3 of 2020 reported that there were 14,209 children in out-of-home care.
According to the recent statistics provided by CASA of Arizona:
Reasons children are put into out-of-home-care:
Ages of children in out-of-home care:
Source - https://www.azcourts.gov/casa/Child-Welfare-Stats
When you put these numbers into perspective, they are heartbreaking. Even sadder, is that they are not just numbers, but children; children who live, breathe, and feel pain and heartbreak on a daily basis. Along with the kids are the people who care for them. They need just as much love and support. These are members of our community who have been affected and need our help. That is why it is our goal to Encourage (1), Equip (2), and Empower (3) the children and their supporters through our many helpful services.
Encourage – (E1) Children and their supporters deserve to hear words of encouragement during this difficult time. E3 AZ Foundation does this through its PosiPaws Program. First, we collect the stuffed animals. Then we prepare them by attaching cards that contain words of encouragement like, "I love you" or "you're the best!" Finally, we distribute plush toys to the children. It's hard to imagine but up to this point, many children have never heard these words. All children, but especially children in out-of-home care, need to know that they matter and that there are good people in this world who care about them.
Equip – (E2)Oftentimes, children placed in out-of-home care don't come from a very nurturing environment. That plus the heartbreak of family separation can adversely affect their cognitive and social abilities, emotional, mental, and behavioral health, and sadly, their self-esteem. One way we combat these adverse effects is through our You Rock Program where we encourage youth to volunteer in the community. In addition, we also equip supporters (foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship, etc), with helpful resources like workshops or motivational sessions that prepare them to effectively and lovingly support the children under their care.
Empower – (E3)In many cases, children placed in out-of-home care act out because they feel powerless about their situation. Uncertainty and instability only compound this sense of helplessness. Here at E3 AZ Foundation, we know how important it is to empower those around you. It's a philosophy we live by and one we instill into every child and supporter we encounter. When you feel empowered, you are much better able to handle what comes your way. This is true whether you are a child, an adolescent, or an adult. Empowerment gives us a sense of control and makes us think we can conquer the world. It gives these kids hope because it allows them to rise above their current situation and it makes them realize they have a positive future ahead of them. One of the ways we do this is through our Vision Board Sessions.
Out-of-home care is a court-monitored process that encompasses the placements and services provided to children and families when children are removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect. Before a decision is made to remove a child, child welfare staff must make reasonable efforts to safely maintain children with their families through family preservation or in-home services that are provided by child protective services staff, community providers, or both.
If reasonable efforts have been made and yet safety concerns still exist, then the court may order that a child be removed from their home and placed into what is known in many communities as “foster care.” Once removed, the shelter and daily care of children are provided by foster or kinship families or residential/group staff. These caregivers generally undergo an assessment and licensing or certification process to ensure their suitability as caregivers.
While in out-of-home care, services are provided to the child and their parents to help improve the problems that led to the removal so that they may achieve family reunification or other permanency as quickly as possible.
Source - https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/overview/