Urgent Need Grows for Foster Homes as 470 Kids Await Care

UPDATE: A critical shortage of foster homes in Delaware is leaving 470 children without stable placements, with teenagers facing the longest waits. The system, already strained across three counties, is calling for urgent community support as more youths enter the foster care system daily.

On December 2, the WHYY Pop-Up Newsroom and Foster Care Resource Fair will be held at the West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington, aimed at raising awareness about foster care and adoption opportunities. The event comes as reports reveal many teens age out of the system without ever finding a permanent home, a situation described as a “quiet crisis” by officials.

Currently, Delaware’s foster care system includes a diverse demographic: 298 Black children, 168 white children, 39 Hispanic children, and four Asian children. Each child’s experience varies significantly based on their placement, emphasizing the urgent need for more specialized foster homes that cater to complex needs, including medical conditions and behavioral health challenges.

Trenee Parker, director of the Division of Family Services, stated, “Teenagers are a population that we need more families for.” The agency is prioritizing recruitment for families willing to foster teenagers, who often face additional trauma before entering the system. The challenge is particularly significant in Sussex County, where appropriate placements are scarce.

The existing foster care framework includes traditional homes, group care settings, and arrangements with relatives. However, the demand exceeds availability, particularly for older youth. “We find that families often prefer younger children,” said Theresa Broome, program manager at Children & Families First. “This leaves many teenagers without care, pushing them towards aging out of the system.”

As these teens approach adulthood, they face significant uncertainties. The West End Neighborhood House’s Lifeline program supports young individuals aged 16 to 23 who are in or have aged out of foster care. Program director Stacy Shamburger noted that their current caseload includes approximately 56 youth, alongside an additional 234 unaccompanied youth who remain homeless.

Compounding the issue is the national housing crisis, which severely affects young adults transitioning from foster care. “Finding affordable housing is a significant challenge for this age group,” Shamburger added. To address this, West End Neighborhood House recently expanded its Lifeline housing program into Sussex County, where the need is critical.

Delaware’s state leaders are implementing supportive policies like the Tuition Waiver Program, which allows former foster youth to attend state universities without tuition costs. Since its launch in 2022, approximately 40 students have benefitted from this program, with five already graduating.

Despite these initiatives, experts stress that community involvement is crucial for long-term solutions. “It takes a village to ensure our youth thrive,” Parker emphasized, encouraging community members to support youth through sponsorships or mentorships.

As Delaware grapples with this urgent need for foster homes, the upcoming resource fair on December 2 aims to mobilize community support and find solutions for the growing number of children and teens in distress. The time to act is now, as the lives of many vulnerable youths hang in the balance.