When children enter the foster care system, the priority is to find a path to permanency – whether through adoption or reunification with their biological family. Often, children are placed in foster care for a short time while the best next steps are determined.
With nearly 8,000 children in need of foster homes in Tennessee, foster parents like Memphian Ursula Hall have never been more important.
Hall became a foster parent four years ago. Her sister and a friend were foster parents through Youth Villages. When she decided the time was right to go through foster care training and open her home, her first call was to Youth Villages.
Hall knew she wanted to foster boys, and more importantly, siblings. A single parent of grown boys of her own, she wanted to stick with what she knew. After completing the classes and required certifications, Hall anxiously awaited the call with her foster children.
The young boys brought into her house three years ago were placed with the goal of reunification with the biological family. Hall has worked hard to keep a good relationship with the boys and their family, which can be challenging.
“Foster parents are often dismissive of disruptive biological families,” says Chakitra Hill, a Youth Villages foster care specialist who has worked with Ursula since the beginning of her journey. “Ursula is at the visits with the family, and she doesn’t say anything negative about the biological family.”
The boys are doing great in Hall’s home. They make honor roll and principal’s list and stay active in school activities. They experienced trauma in their previous living situation, but both Hall and Hill helped them work through that.
The Youth Villages trauma training was very helpful,” says Hall.
Many of the children have experienced trauma, so Youth Villages trains parents on how to build trust and self-esteem.
Youth Villages also offers extensive training to foster parents including an informational meeting, 10 training classes, and home visits for safety checks and readiness. Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, along with partnering agencies, require this training to become a foster parent in the state. The Youth Villages Therapeutic Foster Care Program also requires training on trauma and Collaborative Problem Solving, an evidence-based approach that reduces challenging behavior and helps build relationships.
Hall holds monthly meetings with the boys and other foster care children who may be in her home for short-term care.
We talk about chores, how to support one another at school, any issues the boys are having at home or with each other,” says Hall.
Some of the children have been through many placements with extended family or other foster homes before ending up with Hall. Those homes likely had different rules and parents with different expectations.
I show them a lot of love – with a house full of snacks!” says Hall. “I can admit when I am wrong and apologize to the kids. I want to share something positive with them while they are in my home.”
Hall works to earn respect with her foster children while teaching them the rules of her house in a loving way.
“Ursula is good to work with, and a great example of a foster parent to all of us,” Hill said. “She always says there are no bad parents and no bad children, just people with challenges.”
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and Youth Villages will be offering information sessions to learn more about becoming a foster parent.
For more information about foster care, certification classes, and more, visit: Youth Villages - youthvillages.org/foster or call 888-MY-YV-KID; Tennessee Department of Children’s Services - tn.gov/dcs or call 877-DCS-KIDS.