Fostering Perspectives Vol. 11, no. 2

Vol. 11, No. 2 • May 2007

Facing Facts

We all know our child welfare system isn’t perfect. If you’re like most people working in this system, you’re willing to take a few imperfections (or more than a few) if it means a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

To make the biggest possible impact sometimes you need to face facts, to know the “good, the bad, and the ugly.” After all, you can solve problems and overcome hurdles so much better when you know what they are.

In this spirit, this issue of Fostering Perspectives aims to provide you with a realistic look at some important aspects of foster care and adoption in North Carolina, including our performance on key indicators, the disproportionate representation of African Americans in foster care, the influence of our consumer society on adoption, the lingering effects of trauma on children, and more.

Whatever your role is in the child welfare system, we salute you for your dedication and your hard work, and we hope this issue supports you as you continue to make a difference.

	By the Numbers: Foster Care in North Carolina
	Resources for Learning More about Foster Care Outcomes
	Race and Foster Care
	New Study Analyzes the Economic Costs and Benefits of Transracial Adoption
	Matching Children with the Right Foster Family
	The Frustrations of Waiting for a Placement
	North Carolina's Foster Care Infrastructure
	Message from the President of the NC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
	Join the NC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
	Helping Your Birth Children Get Along with Children Placed in Your Home
	The Family Support Network of NC
	Reading This and That (Book Review)
	Kids' Pages
	Child Welfare Worker Visits with Children in Foster Care
	Children Do Best in Families
	"I Am ," a Poem by Alesha
	New Video Extends a Heart to Foster Youths
	What Parents Should Remember about Trauma
	Why School Matters
	The Educational Needs of Children in Foster Care
	Our Consumer Society Can Make Adoption a Challenge
	My Adoptive Family Helped Me Get Over a Rough Start, by Rebecca
	Help Us Find Families for These Children
	"You Helped Me ," a Poem by Ronda
	Writing Contest
	Download or print a pdf of this entire issue
	References for this issue
	Get training credit for reading this newsletter!

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