Written by Olivia
Edited by Helena

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the Texas Foster care system is struggling to provide foster children with appropriate homes. Texas has seen more and more homes closing their doors to foster kids. Families are apprehensive about taking in foster children as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the state. This is forcing Texas to place children in homes outside of the state. Children are left wondering where they will spend the night as there are not enough homes for these children. 

There is Apprehension Surrounding Unvaccinated Children.

Youth vaccinations were not made available until most recently. Vaccination rates amongst children in the foster care system are very low. Around 75.3 percent of the children in the system are currently not vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, Texas has released a statement explaining that a COVID-19 vaccination will not be mandatory for children in the foster care system. Due to low vaccination rates, families are hesitant about taking in children who are susceptible to the virus. This is leaving Child Protective Services (CPS) desperate to find places for Texas foster children. 

Kids are being forced into out-of-state and unlicensed homes. 

 In 2021, Texas lost over 1,000 licensed beds in licensed foster homes and childcare facilities, thus having to find alternative places for these children to stay. This has resulted in children being placed in foster homes outside of Texas or in unlicensed foster homes. This past year, over 400 different foster children were placed in unlicensed facilities and 100 children were placed in out-of-state homes. This is a significant increase, as prior to 2021 that number rarely exceeded 100 a year. Even while putting children into unlicensed homes and facilities is occuring, Texas has still had to send kids into out-of-state foster homes. Texas simply does not have enough beds for children to be placed into proper in-state facilities. 

How can you help? 

If you are willing, become a foster parent yourself. Many of these children have to spend nights in places not prepared for foster children. If you have a little extra love in your heart and are able to see what it takes to be a foster parent for a child in need of a home. If you can’t personally foster but still want to help, you can assemble welcome boxes for these children. Check with your local foster care organizations for more info, but a welcome box might include any essentials that a child may need (toothbrush, etc.) as well as any comfort items (clothes, stuffed animals, etc.). Many children have little to no belongings in the foster care system, so a box of items that belong to them alone when they arrive at their placement can be a welcoming/comforting sight. 

Welcome Box Image from KVC Health Systems

As we begin 2022, let’s hope that the Texas foster care system begins to move towards finding appropriate placements and care for children in need. Being a child in the foster care system is already difficult, but being a child in an overwhelmed system can make life even harder and more uncertain.

References:

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/19/texas-foster-care-crisis/

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/12/texas-foster-care-system-fines/

https://www.kvc.org/blog/5-ways-to-help-a-child-in-foster-care/