This article in the Atlantic by Kate Cray provides a close up look at the difficult challenges of foster parenting during the pandemic and highlights struggles agencies face in continuing to recruit, support and retain families. Foster families from New York, Missouri, and Arizona are featured. For example:
- A single foster parent in New York grew concerned about her ability to continue caregiving for her foster son when she became ill with COVID-19.
- Foster parents in Missouri share their struggles in caring for their 5-year-old foster daughter whose well-being relies on adhering to a strict routine and regular therapy appointments. The pandemic has been distressing and disruptive, requiring the foster parents to manage increased emotional needs without outside help.
- A foster parent in Arizona shares challenges of foster parenting for multiple children when one child has underlying medical conditions and is considered “high risk” of getting ill from COVID-19.
We are grateful to Kate Cray for her excellent reporting of the experiences of these children and families during the pandemic.
See here for the article.