Anne (John) Coppola's Blog – July 2015 Archive (5)

Do you really want to become a foster parent?

Remember that becoming one is not an easy feat. The responsibilities will be challenging and overwhelming. Foster children need extra nurturing and attention because of what they’ve been through in the past, so who knows, you might even have to sacrifice a little of your lifestyle to become a good mother or father.

If you still have doubts, don’t sign the foster parent papers. Don’t let the child suffer from your indecision. But if…

The view on reunification is multifaceted. It can be seen as the State exercising the implications of the law on public policy. It can be taken as the law defining the rights and responsibilities of a parent. Or it can be seen as the reconciliation and healing of both the child and the birth parent.



Reunification is the start of another chapter in the lives of both the birthparent and the former foster child. It’s the chance to become happy again; to let go of past hurts and bad…

Loneliness and rejection are tough pills to swallow. And their effect varies according to the reception of the person concerned. So, if you’re already a tough grown-up, you will probably see them as constructive in a way. But if you’re still young and innocent, its effect is a completely different story. This is probably the reason why States allowed restricted foster homes to exist. - See more at:…

Former foster youths are not prepared adequately for self–sufficiency upon aging out of foster care. Even though the average youth in the United States is not expected to reach self-sufficiency until age 26, youth who aged out of the foster care must care for themselves at age 18.



These youth will continue to need help and guidance, and this is why the Foster Care Independence Act was enacted on December 14, 1999. The Act aims to help youth who aged out of foster care in obtaining…

Battered, hurt and insecure – these three words sum up most of foster care children. For most of their younger lives, they have stepped out of their comfort zone. Now, what are they willing to do to get back inside it?



Many foster care children have faced real life at a very early age. Instead of enjoying their childhood years like other children, they have been tossed around from one foster family to another. They have experienced what it’s like to live on their own, and already…