Native Americans are up to four times more likely to have their children taken and placed into foster care than their non-Native counterparts.
Appropriate boundaries promote healthy development in children and are a necessity, alongside love and support. They allow children and adults to feel safe, have clear expectations and know what is acceptable.
With support from FireLodge Children & Family Services, many Citizen Potawatomi Nation foster children successfully and safely return to their families. FireLodge answered some questions frequently asked by prospective families interested in fostering and adopting Potawatomi children.
While many potential foster parent applicants hesitated during 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tribal member Lacey Buettner opened up her home for the first time. After working with FireLodge Children & Family Services, she felt confident in stepping up to the task.
FireLodge Children & Family Services advocates for and protects children and vulnerable adults who are at risk of being abused or neglected. Social services and child welfare programs do not stop services, even amidst a global pandemic.
While oftentimes the goal is to work with parents and guardians to reunite with their children, there are cases where finding a permanent, loving family becomes necessary.
Preserving families and promoting healthy, safe homes for children is the goal of the FireLodge Children & Family Services Family Preservation Program.
FireLodge Children & Family Services works diligently to ensure Potawatomi families stay connected. Our work includes encouraging and supporting relationships between foster parents and birth families.
Positive emotions humans experience actually broaden our sense of possibilities and allow us to then build new skills or resources that can positively impact our future.
Despite these recent events, FireLodge Children & Family Services continues our work in protecting and preserving Native American families. Child welfare programs do not discontinue services, even during a crisis.