At Issue with Mark Welp
Should Foster Parents Be Afraid of Getting Attached?
Clip: Season 4 Episode 2 | 1m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
Getting attached to a foster child isn't the problem. Cathy Newbury explains why.
One of the biggest fears prospective foster parents have is becoming attached to a child who may eventually return home. Cathy Newbury says that attachment shouldn't be avoided. Foster children need adults who will love them, support them and show that someone cares, even when the placement itself may only be temporary.
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At Issue with Mark Welp is a local public television program presented by WTVP
At Issue with Mark Welp
Should Foster Parents Be Afraid of Getting Attached?
Clip: Season 4 Episode 2 | 1m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
One of the biggest fears prospective foster parents have is becoming attached to a child who may eventually return home. Cathy Newbury says that attachment shouldn't be avoided. Foster children need adults who will love them, support them and show that someone cares, even when the placement itself may only be temporary.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipLet's talk about maybe some misconceptions that are out there about foster care.
- Sure.
- What are some of those big ones that you might have to overcome if you're talking to someone about being a potential foster parent?
- The most thing is that people are worried about getting attached.
They are worried that, "Oh, I'm going to love this child and then they're going to be taken away."
First of all, if you told me that you're not going to get attached and you're not going to love the child, then you're not the right person to be in foster care because they need to be loved and they need someone to support them and become attached to them.
We've had youth that come into our home and who have returned home and we're still in touch with them.
We had a little one who went home and was adopted by her aunt.
She's now 12 and we see her every once in a while and we know how she's doing.
So, we want you to become attached.
These kids need to know that someone cares for them.
So, that is a misconception that the child's going to be yanked out of their homes.
They're not yanked.
It's usually a process because there's court involved and you're going to know if it's heading toward the youth returning home, and they'll offer you services to help you as well.
NewWhat Makes Someone a Good Foster Parent?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S4 Ep2 | 44s | Money and a big house don't make a good foster parent. Cathy Newbury explains what does. (44s)
NewWhy Central Illinois Needs More Foster Families
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S4 Ep2 | 42s | A shortage of foster families is leaving Central Illinois children without homes. (42s)
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At Issue with Mark Welp is a local public television program presented by WTVP