SAFY (SPECIALIZED ALTERNATIVES FOR FAMILIES & YOUTH)
(Disclaimer: This post is brought to you by SAFY but as always opinions are my own.)
Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth (SAFY)
Imagine you are a child and in the middle of the night and someone wakes you and tells you that you have to leave. A person referred to as a social worker tells you that you are going to be temporarily placed in another home with people who will love and care for you. You are frightened, sleepy and unsure of the future.
Sadly, this scenario, or one similar to it, happens daily all over the United States.
The Need
There are approximately 424,000 foster youth nationwide. The number of children in foster care just keeps increasing.
Do you know how many children are in foster care in your state?
I live in Kentucky and there are 9,278 as of December 2020. I had no idea there were that many children in need and I bet you didn’t either.
SAFY Helps
SAFY is a child and family nonprofit preserving families and securing futures. Since 1984, they have provided family preservation therapeutic foster care, adoption through foster care, behavioral health and other family supports. They believe every child deserves a family, and that strong families build strong communities. They serve families in Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Ohio and South Carolina.
Basic Requirements of Fostering
You may think that it’s hard to become a foster parent but it’s not. Individuals who are interested in becoming a therapeutic foster care parent must meet their state requirements for foster parent licensure, including but not limited to the following:
• At least 21 years of age (In most states)
• Have a separate living space in your home for a youth
• Have a stable income
• Have a high school diploma or GED (In most states)
• Own or rent your place of residence
• Single, married or unmarried partners.
Support Through Behavioral Services
One of the best things about SAFY is that it helps people develop their skills for working with the young people in their care, including those who have experienced trauma. Their team of professionals gives families easy to follow strategies for supporting well-being and building a child’s confidence so they can heal. These behavioral services support families in their foster, adoptive and family preservation programs.
Another important service they offer (especially during the pandemic) is mental health services. With so much isolation the past year it’s important for us all to keep a positive outlook! SAFY has services that anyone to the community that anyone can access.
Help Us Grow
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for foster families is greater than ever. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, visit safy.org/become-a-foster-parent/. SAFY is working hard to provide virtual trainings, home visits and licensing in order to continue to increase the number of licensed foster families while social distancing and following state and local health guidelines.
There is a great need for community support for children in foster care, foster families, families who could remain together with additional support, and older youth who are aging out of the foster care system. You can make a financial gift to help SAFY and other child welfare organizations provide clinical services and therapies, help families navigate crisis situations, and support older youth with independent living and job training programs.
It is up to all of us to work together so all youth experiencing foster care can be placed in the safe, loving and supportive families all kids need to thrive.
Please visit us at SAFY’s blog to learn more! If you long to be the difference in a child’s life, there are many ways to help them achieve their full potential. From providing short term respite, to therapeutic foster care, fostering to adopt, fostering a teen mother and her child or supporting them as they safely reunite or transition to adulthood, you can be that agent of hope.
Help us help children! Please visit SAFY now for more information about how you can support children and families right here in our community.
