MISSION:THE FOSTER CARE COUNCIL HAS A MISSION TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WHO ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABANDONMENT, SERIOUS NEGLECT, OR PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE. |
The mission sounds simple, but in reality
is as complex and broad ranging as the chil-dren’s diverse needs. All children who enter
the foster care system have been seriously
abused physically and/or emotionally; they
suff er from self-image and self-esteem prob-lems; and they feel sad, angry, abandoned,
frightened and isolated from their family and
friends. They find themselves in situations
that would strain well-adjusted adults. They have been torn from the only homes
they have known and now are living with
strangers. These children, unaware that this
may have saved their lives, are confused about
what has happened to them and don’t know if
they will ever be reunited with their families.
The Foster Care Council of Southwest Florida, Inc. (FCC), a 501(c)(3) organization, provides these emotionally damaged children with the funds, opportunities and support that the state’s foster care system cannot provide. We give these children a chance to become successful and strong adults. The FCC has established its identity within the community and with the state foster care system. The thank you notes we receive from the children we have assisted are the only validation we need for the work we do!
THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 1800 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE IN DISTRICT 8 - SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
OUR GOAL, LIKE OUR MISSION, IS TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD WHO ENTERS THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THESE CHILDREN MAY LEAVE THEIR HOMES WITH NOTHING MORE THAN THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR OR DRAGGING THEIR MEAGER BELONGINGS IN GARBAGE BAGS. THE NEEDS OF EACH CHILD BEGIN WITH THE BASICS AND EXPAND AS THEY GROW TO INCLUDE ITEMS FOR BABIES, SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS.
Of the Children in District 8 in the Foster Care System:
THESE CHILDREN HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY THAT OFTEN LEAVES DEEPER SCARS THAN ANY PHYSICAL ABUSE THEY RECEIVED. |
23% are from Collier County |
48% are male 52% are female |
|
54% are white |
|
45% are 0 - 5 years |
82% of the children entering the foster care system have been identified in need of therapeutic counseling.
Florida pays foster parents between $443 and $546 a month, depending on age, for room and board.
Children placed in out-of-home care with non-relatives who are not licensed as foster parents are eligible for no financial benefits or support other than Medicaid for health care. Children placed in out-of-home care with relatives that are not licensed as foster parents are eligible for less than half of the financial benefits if they qualify.