What is the difference between a group home and an orphanage?
submitted by Barium Springs Homes for Children
Typically, when people think about today’s group homes, they often associate them with the orphanages of old – the days of Oliver Twist and orphan Annie. These children often came to orphanages from lives of extreme poverty, their parents were often dead and they usually had no living family members to take care of them. The children who grew up in orphanages prior to the 1950’s generally stayed at the orphanage until they came of age and either went to college, joined the service or began working in the community. They often worked at the orphanage – on the farms, in the orchards, the kitchens or the sewing room. But beginning in the 1950’s, the orphanage model of care grew obsolete due to peacetime and advances in medical technology – there were fewer true orphans in need of a home. Instead, the children needing care were those who had one or both parents living but were coming to stay at group homes from lives of abuse and neglect. These children needed treatment and therapy in addition to family-style care. Virtually every orphanage evolved to provide more specific and intensive care for these children. Oftentimes, these children are placed into group homes by the Department of Social Services, the Juvenile Court System, or youth are privately placed by their parents or guardians. Youth who live in group homes today often stay for short periods of time – sometimes as little as 30 days. And although some youth do stay until they reach the age of eighteen, the focus of group home care has shifted to the reunification of children with their natural families. When that is not an option, children often live with extended family members or move in a foster care home setting. 
Where Does the Money Come From?
submitted by CFSA-NC
Providing the funds for children who are abused, neglected, or who have serious mental health needs is complex with funds coming from a variety of sources, often depending on the financial status of the family. In general, mental health services for children who meet the financial needs criteria are provided by Medicaid. Approximately 63% of Medicaid costs are federal dollars and 37% are North Carolina dollars. For children who are removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect and placed in foster care, a combination of federal, state, and county dollars provide some of the basic cost. This is also true for children who are eligible for adoptions. Some of the federal funds tapped are designated as Title IV-B and E, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and the Social Services Block Grants (Title XX). Because of the cost of providing for these children, the public funding streams are always inadequate. Private agencies like those who are members of Children and Family Services Association-NC depend on the contributions of individuals, foundations, and various fund raising activities to give the kind of care and treatment that these children need to assist them in recovery, rebuilding their lives, and planning for productive futures.
How do I become a Foster Parent?
Submitted by Youth Homes Inc It takes a special kind of person to be a foster parent. They have to be willing to give their hearts and their homes…but only on a temporary basis. Before you can become a foster parent in North Carolina, a candidate must… - Be at least 21 years of age and in good physical and mental health
- Have a residency in North Carolina
- Be confident that a background check will not reveal any substantiated child abuse or neglect charges or a felony conviction.
- Have a stable income sufficient to meet your family’s needs.
- Have a valid NC driver’s license and a vehicle for transportation
- Have adequate living space and an individual bed for each additional child.
- At least one adult member of the household must be able to read and write.
Finally, upon an initial pre-screening of the above, you must complete a 30-hour approved NC foster parent training prior to being approved as a licensed foster parent in North Carolina. Take the Next Step…
To learn more, contact one of the CFSA member agencies within your county of residence. A child is waiting for you to call. |