This section discusses barriers to normalcy for children and youth in foster care.
Restrictive Policies and Practices
Rules and decisions made in the child welfare system have historically been at odds with letting children in foster care live more normal lives. Here are examples of activities that have been affected:
- Making a hairstyle change without written permission or court approval.
- Getting an after-school or summer job.
- Riding on any motorized bike, go-cart, or four-wheeler.
- Going on school trips, especially outside the county or state.
- Going on vacations with foster families.
- Going out with a friend, especially in a car driven by the friend.
Frequent Placement Moves can be disruptive.
- Children in state care often change schools. This affects school credits and disrupts activities like team sports and personal relationships.
- Children face new rules and expectations from the new foster family and must quickly adapt to the new family’s culture, values, and traditions.
