Crisis Support for Foster Care Adoption and Kinship Care
We have more abused and neglected children than we have families willing to serve them.
Region 8 of Texas includes:
- Bexar
- Kendall
- Comal
- Guadalupe
- Wilson
- Atascosa
- Bandera
- Medina
We have more abused and neglected children than we have individuals, churches, and businesses mobilized to serve them. The Alliance is working to solve this crisis by addressing the problem at its roots.
Jennifer Smith, Executive DirectorNot everyone will do the same thing, but everyone can do something.
Through preventing family breakdown, protecting and providing for those impacted by the system, we can help break the foster care crisis cycle.
In Region 8 of Texas
- 6% of churches in our community have intentional efforts serving those impacted by the foster care system
- 50% of foster families quit within the first year of fostering due to lack of support
- 44% of siblings end up separated, children are placed in facilities instead of families
- 49% of children who leave foster care, return within 5 years
- 76% of sex trafficking victims spent time in foster care
- 45% of homeless population spent time in foster care
- 40% of aged out youth will be incarcerated by 19 years old
- 3% of aged out youth attend tuition free college
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
There is a solution – the local church! The Alliance fills the gap between the under-accessed church community and overburdened foster care system by weaving together a network of local resources and experts to support children, families and the care community teams serving them. Our kids need everyone to play their piece.
STABILIZE FAMILIES AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES
Multiple placements traumatize children further.
Many families and single parent homes are one traumatic event away from being swept into the foster system. Job loss, domestic violence, drug addiction, illness and unplanned pregnancy are all factors that often lead to families at risk of entering the foster system.
47% of Texans are victims of domestic violence
30-60% of child abuse victims subsequently abuse their children
50% higher rate of teen pregnancy
57,000 grandparents are raising grandkids in Region 8 (Bexar, Comal and surrounding counties).
KEEP KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Every year, hundreds of children and youth are moved out of our region.
We have more abused and neglected children in our community than we have safe and loving families who are trained, equipped and supported to serve them.
Though we have over 1,200 churches in our region, less than 10% have intentional efforts dedicated to this crisis. Children move an average of 2-6 times until permanency, and face greater trauma from losing healthy relationships with relatives, teachers and friends. This can make visits with family sporadic and challenging due to distance.
96 children per month in our region sleep in emergency shelters.
908 children in our region are legally free and waiting to be adopted. Meet some here.
44% of siblings are separated in foster care
744 days in care before permanency.
EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING!
Supported families and caseworkers help children heal.
We know from a robust body of research that a family environment improves healing, promotes normalcy in childhood and models healthy family life for children. Supporting those who serve abused and neglected children 24/7 is life-giving and critical to the child’s or youth’s healing process.
The Alliance Prevention Network connects churches and businesses who can help with families at risk of entering the foster care system. Together, we can build a care-sharing network to meet practical needs of families in crisis and connect them with supportive community.
Keep Our Kids In Our Community
50% of foster families quit after one year from lack of support.
14% of reunifications fail
1,300 youth will age out in Texas each year.
74.5% of kids that have 1 case worker will achieve permanency
2.2% of kids who have 3 or more caseworkers will achieve permanency
