Inside the Foster Care System

Today in the US there are over 500,000 children in the foster care system. Foster care is an issue that is prevalent in all fifty states, and considered a big problem in almost every state. Wisconsin is no different, with foster care problems ranging from serious abuse cases, to lack of financial backing, to kinship care, to aging out, and hundreds of other issues in between. In general, the foster care system is failing the kids that it should be supporting by not preparing them for life after foster care. In most cases the foster care system, “suddenly sets kids loose to fend for themselves. About half drop out of school and end up unemployed, on welfare, or homeless” (Marks).

Kids Matter is a non profit organization at the forefront for foster care reform. Kids Matter’s provides three main services to foster kids: fostering hope, CASA, and fostering healing (About Us). The Fostering Hope program provides kids, who have nothing but the cloths on their backs, a hope package that includes: a book, a toy, personal hygiene supplies, and a backpack. Fostering healing provides assistance to grandparents, relative kinship families, and foster parents that care for children who have experienced trauma. CASA is an organization of volunteers that advocates for abused and neglected children (About Us).

Often when siblings enter the foster care system they are forced to split up depending on the availability of foster parents. Kids Matter and the Junior League of Milwaukee offer free events for foster kids to give kids the opportunity see siblings and other family members. Sibylle Tasker, member of the Kids Matter board of directors, and liaison to the Junior League has been a part of planning and organizing of these events. Here is Sibylle talking about these events, and there importance.