St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-05-13

hike to board a child. 1t is not an
easy job, not always rosy job
and not everyone can give this
type of service"
Mr.. Hoel pointed out that with
the growing population Hennepir
County Welfare Department was
getting its full share of children
to place and there was consequent
ly a growing need for homes
There are now over 800 children
in foster homes, and this number
will increase. The group exchanged
experiences and offered sugges-
tons for getting new homes.
Miss Kendrick, casework super
visor, Hennepin County Welfare
Department, explained briefly the
services to children and families
which were dependent upon foster
homes for their effectiveness.
Foster children may be the chill
dren of unwed mothers who are
cared for in foster homes while
the mother makes up her mind
whether or not she will keep or
give up the child or while she
gets on her feet psychologically
and economically.
They may be infants awaiting
adoption. Many children are placed
because their parents, due to their
own problems of alcoholism, per-
sonality disturbance, marital NAL
adjustment, ct cetera, have abused
or neglected them. These are chill
dren who, hopefully, can return
to their own families after the
famiIys rehabilitation. However,
if the family situation cannot be
corrected, they may need perman-
ent placement. Another group of
children for whom foster place
ment is necessary are emotionally
disturbed children whose home sit
uation is such as to cause or ag-
gravate the disturbance. Many of
these children will need long time
foster care.
Since the passage of the 1859
revision of laws relating to chill
dren, Hennepin County Welfare
Department has been responsible
for the foster placement of chill
dren brought before the Juvenile
Court as delinquent but for whom
a chance in a normal, healthy fam
lily environment rather than a
correctional institution seems the
best treatment.
The foster mothers discussed
their motivations and satisfactions
as foster parents. One mother com
mented, Just washing and iron
ing his shirts, fixing a hot meal,
giving him a clean bed-and he
thinks that's just wonderful"
Others stressed the gradual COM
ing out of a shell, the growing
signs of a Child's trust. They also
recognized the problems, disap-
pointments, and the hardships of
giving up a child they had loved.
The need for patience was appar-
ent when it was recognized that
these children were making a ter
rifle adjustment.
Not only were they coming to
live with strangers whom because
of past experiences they had no
reason to trust, but they often
had had no experience in the SIM
pie details of normal living-no
meals on time, no regular sleep
ing habits, no experience with reg
ular shampoos, baths, or even the
possession of a toothbrush. Table
manners, toilet habits, cleanliness
were things they had to learn
from the beginning, while at the
same time learning to love and
be loved, to trust and be trusted.
1t is hoped the enthusiasm slim
ulated by these meetings will re-
suit in interesting more families
in foster care. Those interested
are urged to contact Hennepin
County Welfare Department, Child
Service Intake, Federal 1852,
for more information.