According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Department of Health and Human Services, there are over 500,000 children and youth living in foster care in the US. Of those children, many have disabilities, and have been in foster care for four or more years. Most of these children have been in situations that have left them vulnerable to emotional, behavior and mental disabilities as well. Their chance at a healthy development has been significantly diminished and research depicts them as being in worse health than homeless children are. On average, they have experienced over 14 different risk factors to their well-being.
Many of these children have lost hope and have been left feeling isolated and alone. In order to assist foster families in helping these children, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and its affiliates have joined together to form Where to Turn. This group of organizations provides families and non-profits the information they need to seek funding and resources to help these children thrive. They provide therapeutic foster care, as well as information and assistance to birth, foster and adoptive families. In addition, they offer services to the welfare workers, educators and medical personnel who work with foster children. The group also serves as advocates within the system to provide support to children and youth with disabilities in foster care settings, institutions, and newly adoptive families.
Where to Turn is a program of Isabelle’s Kids, a national initiative of UCP that aims to empower children and youth with disabilities to live without limits. They help children overcome their challenges and become active members of the community simply by providing the necessary information for the resources available. Children in foster care, with and without disabilities, who are not properly helped, are susceptible to developing more disabilities. If you would like more information, there are packets available depending on the state in which you live.