National Foster Care Month: It Takes a Village

By: Beverly Hardin (right), Guest Writer

As of 2020, there were over 407,000 children and youth in foster care in the United States. According to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), 4,055 of those youth and children are in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, 1 in 5 children and youth in foster care will become homeless after the age of 18, 25 percent will be known to the juvenile justice system within two years of leaving foster care, less than two percent will earn a college degree by age 25, and only half will be employed by age 24. 

These numbers are our reality, and paint only part of the picture for some of South Carolina’s most vulnerable youth. May is National Foster Care Month and is the right time to bring attention to the challenges our foster youth face each and every day. This month is also a time to highlight how our community can work together to provide the resources and support South Carolina’s foster care system needs while working to break the cycle and empower families so we are reducing the number of youth foster care.

Throughout South Carolina, individuals, agencies, foster families and residential home caretakers provide for these vulnerable children and youth. Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) is one of these organizations. We know the statistics, and it is our mission each and every day to provide these children and youth with safety and stability. We serve more than 1,000 youth and families each year through a variety of programs, residences, and evidence-based case management practices so that every youth has a plan for success. 

In 2019, CYDC opened NuHouse on our North Charleston campus. NuHouse is a residential group home that provides transitional housing for youth aging out of foster care. Our goal with NuHouse is to provide an environment where young adults can gain the skills to empower them to live independently. This includes teaching them budgeting skills, cooking lessons, and even how to plan and prepare to purchase a car. NuHouse was the first independent living transitional home of its kind for youth in the Lowcountry.

CYDC has a wide array of partnerships throughout the Lowcountry as well. We work with local colleges and businesses to provide residents with the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities, including college and career readiness programs and therapeutic services. We also aim to consistently expand partnerships with regional and national funders to ensure we are utilizing the best practices and creating innovative firsts in the world of foster care. 

In addition to National Foster Care Month, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many of the children and youth in our care have experienced unimaginable trauma, and one of our priorities as a residential care organization is providing our residents with access to all mental health resources that they need. 

The foster care system should be a place of security for all youth who depend on it. While it gains an extra – and much needed – spotlight during the month of May, let these statistics be a reminder that these youth are a vital part of our community year-round, and there are many ways for us to help provide a foster care environment that creates a pathway toward healthy, thriving futures. 

To find out more about the Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) or how you can support children and youth in the child welfare system, visit cydc.org. 

Beverly Hardin is CEO of CYDC. Founded in 1790, CYDC’s mission is to empower and equip our community’s children and families by providing a safe environment, educational support, and career readiness in collaboration with community partners.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us