Loading...
The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-04, Page 1818 — THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 4, 1988 Foster homes fighting extinction in Huron county BY SHELLEY MCPHEE HAIST A concentrated campaign is being laun- ched in Huron County and throughout On- tario in an effort to col nbat the possible extinction of foster parents. Over the past several years foster parent participation has been steadily declining, to the point where there are not enough homes locally to meet the needs. In Huron County, over the past five years, Foster Parent care has declined by some 25 per cent. In the last three years alone Huron has lost 16 Foster Parents. In Toronto staggering figures show that 1,400 Foster Parent homes were lost in 1987. The decline in foster homes has meant that some children are being forced to find accommodation outside of their im- mediate locales. Such long distance. moves can cause great emotional upheaval in the lives of foster children. "The kids are being taken from their county. Some are being moved from the country to the city," says Chris MacPhee of the Huron County Family and Children's Services. "Outside paid institutions are being us- ed to house foster kids and they may cost up to $75 a day." The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) is calling the shortage a crisis situation. The associa- tion has recently completed a major study that examines the severe shortage of foster homes in the child welfare system. This report recommends a com- plete redesign of the foster care system to be in place by 1989. "The basis of foster care has always ]-CoCmstec[ House Bed eh' Breakfgst Cozy guest rooms in a distinctive older home offering you a warm welcome and comfortable accommodation. MEMBERS OF S.O. V.A. and S. W.O.T.A. Exclusive Private Dining Facilities for Breakfast Meetings, Dinner Parties, Lthi heon9, Birthdays, Rehearsal Parties, Business Meetings. Your Hosts: John & Gwen Pattersor Seaforth 527-2040 N been a volunteer effort. Perhaps that is no longer realistic," noted Chris. With more women moving into the work. force over the past 10 years and a trend towards busier lifestyles, foster care participation has begun to fall by the wayside. "Some people are reluctant to offer their time to be foster parents as a long term commitment," Chris said. "However we need foster parents for short term work. For weekends and emergency situations." She recommends starting as a foster parent on a limited scale as an ideal way to learn more about the system and the work involved. Norm and Mary Lou Tait of Exeter have been foster parents for more than 25 years. The Taits and their family have opened their home to dozens of children over the past two decades. "It's difficult toput into words the rewards that you receive from helping these children," Norm explained. "What foster parents do is to try and help so- meone and we've had some beautiful experiences." Unfortunately, foster parenting has been perceived by some to be difficult chore and as a "poor person's job." To this Norm Tait says, "We're not in it to make money....You cannot put a dollar value on foster parenting. You have to live it. You really feel as though you've accomplished something." Still, it is the financial limitations of foster parenting that is reasoned to be partially responsible for the shortage. Foster parents, in Huron County, are paid on average $10 per day for care of the child. Payments are negotiated in- dividually for each child. Foster parents are also reimbursed for any extra ex- penses such as clothing or special ser- vices. Children are also given $7 per week spending money from Family and Children's Services. Chris MacPhee admits that the rates are low. She noted, "You take a 16 year old and try to keep and feed him on $10 a day". Efforts are afoot to change these fees. Rates are set independently by each of the province's 51 Children's Aid Societies. Huron County fees currently rank 49th out of the 51 agencies. The Huron agency board of directors aims to increase the fees by applying to the government for a raise. "If foster parent care was funded the way it should be, there would be a great deal more support," stressed Norm. Foster parents are working towards gaining a greater united voice and political strength with a proposal that will see the Foster Parents Association of Ontario (FPAO) become a separate body. Presently, the parents' association works as an arm of the Children's Aid Society. By June it is proposed that the group will establish itself as a more in- dependent, and powerful organization. "We want everyone who isinvolved in the care of children to belong to the association," Norm explained. The OACAS and FPAO recently col- laborated in a joint study on foster care in Ontario. The final report was issued in January of this year. SBIT ELECTRIC LTD. Kirkton 229-8222 George Caldwell, executive director of the OACAS noted of the report, "This document outlines the dilemma in the foster care field over the appropriate role of the foster parent. Should they continue as the volunteer care givers of the past, paid for their out-of-pocket expenses and expected to treat the child as their own? Should their parenting skills be recogniz- ed as a special skill and rewarded accor- dingly? Should foster parents have status similar to staff with attendant benefits?" Mr. Caldwell further noted that com- pensation is one of the most important issues that must be dealt with. He noted that the study indicates, "If substantial resources are not forthcoming, the socie- ty foster care system will become extinct and will be replaced by some market system of child care." The report recommends that a basic provincial rate of $26 per day be given to foster parents for food, lodging and all costs incurred on behalf of the children. Additional monies could be given for special services, such as medical needs. Chris noted, "Less than one per cent of all children in Ontario are in foster care. Perhaps that is why government funding becomes a low priority item." Funding and payment to foster parents is a sensitive issue. The aim is not to make foster care a profitable money making business, but a venture in which participants can feel that they are reasonably reimbursed for their efforts. "There is a delicate balance to provide quality care without people trying to make money in great amounts," Chris explained. The possibility that a market form of foster care may replace the current system alarms people like Chris Mac- Phee and Norm Tait. They believe that quality child welfare services are best offered at a local level, by people who are not primarily in- terested in monetary rewards, but by those who gain great personal benefits from helping others in need. The Family and Children's Services of Huron County alms to achieve this goal on several levels. They work to: promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children support the integrity and autonomy of the family ' unit help a child, or family, in the least disruptive way provide services for children which recognize their need for continuity and stability provide services for children and families in a manner that respects culture, religion, and region. As Norm Tait explained, "You cannot put a dollar value on the rewards of foster parenting. You have to live it....Each child is a new experience or a new challenge You feel as though you've really accomplished something." Foster parents need no experience There are 50 foster parent homes in Huron County, several specialized homes that can accommodate several children, and one licenced group home for eight. Foster parents in Huron County are a crucial component to the serving of children and their families who are fac- ing personal problems. What does it take to be a foster parent? Chris MacPhee of the Huron County Family and Children's Services says, "The only prerequisite you need is to be a warm, caring person who wants to help others. No one need to be an expert. You learn and you experience. Liking kids and feeling comfortable with kids is a valuable asset." Foster parents can be elderly or young. They may be single or married, man or woman. They may work outside the home. Foster parents may offer their services for short term assistance, or they may choose to help as an ongoing long term commitment. The Huron Family and Children's Ser- vices works to be flexible and accom- modating to meet the personal needs and requirements of their foster parents. It is a co-operative effort, between the agen- cy, foster parents and natural parents that is usually seen as a best method of dealing with child welfare. "At Family And Children's Services we operate under the least intrusive fashion. We work to keep the kids in their own BIRTHS homes. And, we work to get foster children back to their homes," noted Chris. Foster parents receive support and assistance through the professional workers at the Family and Children's Services. Each child in the care of the agency has a social worker, who, together with the foster family cares for the child. The social worker links the • foster family and the child to the agency. The foster family and social worker also endeavor in many instances to keep communication lines open between the child and his or her natural parents. The aim, of reuniting the foster child and his or her family is often supported by foster parents' efforts. It is the foster parents who can make a difference to the lives of a child. It is in the everyday, normal routines that these children are comforted and made to feel secure. It helps them cope with the upheavals in their lives, it helps give them a sense of security and normalacy. The job of the foster parent is to pro- vide for the day to day care and needs of the child placed in the family., This real- ly involves being a "good parent" to the foster child; that is, to provide guidance, love, instruction, discipline and, in many other ways, attempt to meet the needs of the foster child. Foster parents are often given background information on the child that Minister asked DORSSERS - Born to Lee and Shelley Dorssers, a sblf, NIcholas Henry Albert, April 27, 1988 at St. Joseph's Hsopital. Spoil- ing privileges go to proud grandparents Hank and Joanne Dorssers of Seaforth and Albert and Diane Wasson of Blyth. they will be caring for. Likes and dislikes, family circumstances and special needs are all explained to the foster parents beforehand in an effort to help them in the understanding of the child. Chris MacPhee stresses that there is a public misconception that all foster children are difficult and troublesome. She explains, "A large percentage of the kids are not bad. They may be emotional- ly damaged, but with care and counsell- ing these problems are dealt with." Foster parents are offer orientation training and advice on how to handle children. As well they are assisted by social workers when any problems arise. They are also supported by other foster parents who are encouraged to network and offer relief. There are no great monetary gains in being a foster parent. However, those people who have offered their services to foster parenting remark on the great per- sonal gains, the love, the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that they have gained. To those young people who received support from foster parents - it has often made all the difference in the world. For more information on foster parents contact: Family and Children's Services of Huron County, 46 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich, Ontario N7A 1W7 Phone 524-7356, • from page 5 tage of children are subjected to a cruel and unloving way of life. Why are we as adults letting this happen without trying to break the cycle of sexual abuse? Statistics -tell us that sexual abusers themselves were abused. Common sense tells us that the pattern must be broken before this society can gain any sense of self-worth. Can we risk our futures as SEE US FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS • Industrial q •Bucket Truck Service •Farm •Hydra Poles • Residential •Electric Motor Repairs •Pole Line Construction •Rewinding •Sales and Service For Service Call 229-8222 or 1-800-265-2938 AFTER 6 P.M. CALL TOM RAPSON 527-'643 Make Mother's Day Even More Special Brunch... Served 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner... Served from 5 p.m. Reservations Recommended 565-2611 THE LITTLE INN of BAYFIELD Main Street, Bayfield SALE SALE SALE REDUCTION ON 1987 STOCK In Stock BRICK House Lots ... 7 6 Fireplace Lola ea tow as • sq. ft. ALSO Odds 'n Ends Great for Home and Garden 11 OFF IN STOCK' PAVING STONIE seniors to a society full of abused children at an age where they will be holding the purse strings of the government. I shudder to think of the possibilities. Society as a whole has matured over the years so that we can now discuss morally conflicting subjects such as abortion, homosexuality and child sexual abuse without fear of being ostracized. All of these moral dilemmas have existed for more years than any of us have lived and some will still be discussed many years from now. However, a major step forward in stopping child sexual abuse can be achieved by pro- viding long term therapy for these children. Maturity doesn't warrant society a pat on the back, maturity means we as a society must keep making progressive decisions to stop the cycle. A quote from the "Progressive Farmer" prompted me to write this letter. "A hun- dred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I liv- ed in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was im- portant in the life of a child." Sincerely Linda MacDonald Salt co BUY NOW! WHILE QUANTITIES LAST! MRYDRY MEIYDAY COME & WINCE YOUR WINTER BLUES EIWAY SATURDAY, MAY 7th, 1988 9P.M,-1A.M• at the GODERICI1 COMMUNITY CENTRE - IIOLMESVILLE MUSIC: The Rhythmic Five DON'T BUILT YOUR HOUSE WITH STRAW OR STICKS USE ... TRI -COUNTY BRICK 413 Bayfield Rd., CLINTON, Ont. 2-9622 / -7057 iyik...(Th.1; OPEEN:Mon (519)- Thus. 8 am -85 pm65Friday 8 am - 3lnce 1977 6 pm; Saturday 9 am - 1 pm $1 0 . per person. Lunch Included Proceeds to Clinton Public Hospital Building Fund Presented : EURO -CANADIAN CLUB INC. TICKETS: Available at the door • from page 8 that neither well is fit for use and that both wells and their surroundings will have to be Pied. The bowling season on the local green opened on Friday last, with the greens in splendid condition, and it is expected that the lights will be installed by the end of the week. MAY 6, 1938 The Seaforth Athletic Association at its annual meeting and banquet on Thursday evening elected Elmer D. Bell president for the coming year. Mr. Bell succeeds Dr. E.A. McMaster who has been president since 1936. Construction of two modern and complete- ly equipped tennis courts all will commence at the Seaforth Golf and Country Club on Saturday. It is expected the courts will be ready for play in early June. Provincial Traffic Officers J. Callander and W. Robinson are today looking for a definite way of determining whether a car is stolen or not after their experience in Seaforth Wednesday. Constable J.V. Ryan on that afternoon phoned provincial police and told them he had located an abandonned car on a Seaforth Street, the traffic officers responded, looked over the car, checked the license- and although it had not been reported stolen, ordered it taken to a local garage pending investigation. A short time later an inspector at the Dominion Bank looked out the window and discovered his car missing. He phoned Chief Snell who visited the local garages and found the miss- ing auto. All the provincial men now hope is that nobody suggests they stole the car. MAY 3, 1962 Revenue and operating costs each rose approximately 15 per cent during 1961, reports Presented to the annual meeting of Scott Memorial Hospital revealed. Service extending over 37 years was recognized Saturday evening when officials and subscribers of the McKillop Municipal Telephone System honored retiring secretary treasurer John M. Eckert. Condition of Patrick Cleary, 39, of London, was satisfactory, Scott Memorial Hospital reported Wednesday. He was injured when he jumped 18 feet from a second storey win- dow of the Queens Hotel early Saturday after wakening up to find his bed on fire.