Oklahoma's Foster Care Analysis

There are over 10,000 children who live under Oklahoma’s foster care system. Children enter foster care because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their guardians. These children require the same love and care as other children who are not in foster care, and it is assumed that the government can do a better job of taking of these children than their parents. However, not all of them have access to necessities or have their special needs met. With first-hand knowledge of the unaddressed needs of children in foster care, a foster care family in Edmond knew that there should be more done to address the needs of these children. Thus, they founded Citizens Caring for Children in 1984 with the commitment of changing the lives of foster …show more content…
Their mission is to provide meet the needs of these children through mentorships and outreach programs. Each year, the organization provides various services and programs for over 4,000 children in foster care in Oklahoma. The Children Mentor Program matches children with a mentor who will provide a positive and stable relationship for the children. Mentors are selected through extensive interviews, background screening, and training. Following the matching of mentee and mentor, the mentor undergoes additional training and education as well as receiving access to events to attend with their mentee. Another program created by Citizens Caring for Children is Joy 4 Kids, which provides gifts to foster children who do not receive gifts during the holiday season. These children usually live in foster or group homes where gifts are not provided. The program operates by accepting donations from the community; individuals or organizations either fulfill a wish list or donate the cost of a wish list. A special program is the Back 2 School event pair children with volunteers to help children pick out new outfits and school supplies for the upcoming school …show more content…
During the process, I learned more about the organization and its mission to create healthy futures for foster children. In addition to providing the necessities for foster children, I believe that Citizens Caring for Children is also raising awareness about hardships that foster children face. One might believe that by entering the foster care system, these children will be better off because are escaping the abuse and neglect that they face in their own homes. Before learning about Citizens Caring for Children, this was my outlook on the foster care system. However, many foster children have unaddressed material, emotional, and intellectual needs. I believe that Citizens Caring for Children is necessary in the community because it has the potential to touch the lives of so many children. The stressful life events and challenges that these children have faced may have long lasting effects on them and negatively affect their futures. Besides providing these children with basic needs, the organization provide emotional support to help them overcome their unique