Desperate Need for Foster Families - Children Similar to Regina Deserve More Than Just a House
In the southwest of Germany, a 19-year-old named Regina is making waves as she studies acting at the Stuttgart Acting School. But her journey to this point was far from ordinary. Regina was once a foster child, taken in by Andrea Leitgeb during an acute crisis or danger situation.
Andrea, a trained social pedagogue with a professional background, has been a foster mother for 30 years. In 2023, she adopted Regina as her foster daughter, living with her own four children. Regina recalls some challenging situations in her childhood due to her family's circumstances, but the support of her foster family provided her with security, a good home, and self-confidence.
Regina graduated from high school with an impressive average grade of 1.75. She began to take an interest in youth welfare and is currently studying social work. However, she wishes there were more offers or workshops for biological children in the professional support of foster families.
Wera Thomßen from KIT Youth Welfare Tübingen emphasizes that co-living with foster children is a challenging task. The organisation only places foster children in families where at least one partner has a professional background. This is to ensure the best possible care for the children.
Regina has a biological sister named Lara, who is part of her family. She knows that her biological parents were not able to care for her financially or psychologically. Regina does not wish to inquire about her biological siblings or be contacted regarding genetics, such as inherited diseases.
The Paritätischer Baden-Württemberg demands a legal parental leave claim, better pension benefits, and recognition of care times for foster parents. These demands highlight the need for better support and recognition for those who open their homes to foster children.
Apart from her biological parents and foster parents, the father of Regina's four siblings also plays a role in her life. Regina has sporadic contact with her biological parents and has travelled to Spain to learn more about her family.
In Germany, almost 6,880 young people were living in foster families in the southwest, and 87,000 in Germany, in 2023. For those interested in fostering, the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) is a valuable resource. The Jugendamt offers advice, support, and counselling for families, including those interested in fostering. They provide specialized support for parents of babies and young children ("Frühe Hilfen") and handle foster care placements.
The Jugendamt's responsibilities include supporting neglected or abused children and adolescents, helping families with childcare challenges and parenting support, and placement of foster and adoptive children. They also provide parenting courses and direct support like family helpers.
For those considering fostering, it's important to be aware of the challenges and rewards. Challenges may include managing trauma or attachment issues in foster infants and toddlers, coping with legal and bureaucratic processes, and balancing foster care with family life. Rewards often cited include the personal fulfillment of providing a safe and nurturing home to vulnerable children, seeing them thrive, and positively impacting their futures.
For more thorough insight and support resources, contacting the local Jugendamt directly or visiting official youth welfare websites is recommended. They can provide up-to-date data on foster care needs and tailored advice about fostering infants and toddlers in Germany.
Management of home-and-garden resources could be a hobby that Regina, having experienced various living arrangements throughout her life, might find beneficial for creating a comfortable and nurturing living environment for foster children.
For individuals interested in self-development and education, studying topics such as education-and-self-development, especially in the context of foster care and family dynamics, could offer valuable insights and skills for effectively supporting the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of foster children, aligning with Regina's endeavors in social work.
