This half-hour Families in Focus special looks at the challenges and rewards of foster care while focusing on “hard to place kids.” This population includes teens, sibling groups, and children with medical issues. Children often enter the foster program out of abusive situations and are particularly vulnerable and in need of support. These victims of serious neglect and/or abuse program require special psychological, physical, and social intervention and care that promotes healing and stability along a continuum of care. They have strengths and weaknesses, needs and worries, just like all kids do. What they need is a parent who can help meet their needs and take care of their problems. Further, older children need stable homes and loving families to help them transition into adulthood. Many teens in foster care have missed the joys associated with childhood. They face becoming adults with limited skills and no family connections. They need a parent, mentor, advocate and best friend. The panel examines these issues and highlights initiatives that are aimed at providing assistance to children and young adults in the foster care system.
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Kimberly Ricketts |
Janis Nietzer |
Kelli Lane |
Gloria Burnet Harrison |
Guests
Kimberly Ricketts – Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
Janis Nietzer – President of Foster and Adoptive Family Services. Janis has fostered more than 70 children.
Kelli Lane – Who became a foster parent three years ago.
Gloria Burnet Harrison – Statewide Recruitment Coordinator for Adoption Operations at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
Become a New Jersey foster parent
www.njfoster.org
877- NJ – FOSTER
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