Children
Violence. Neglect. Sexual Abuse. Poverty. Fatherlessness. Drugs. Sadly, these words describe the destructive home environments of many children in Indiana. When these troubling characteristics are combined, there is little hope unless the children are raised in a new and wholesome environment where caring adults love and guide them—letting them know how very special they are and how extremely valuable their lives are to God. Some of these kids need far more than what the caring officials in our state’s child welfare system can provide.
The statistics are frightening and the need is great:
- Each year 20,000 of our Hoosier children are physically abused, sexually violated, or neglected (IN Dept. of Child Services, 2007)
- There are more than 7,000 boys and girls in foster care and other residential, settings in Indiana (IN Dept. of Child Services, 2007)
- Nearly 2,000 of these children in Indiana placements are 6-12 years old (Strengthening Families Through Guardianships, Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008)
- More than 600 of these 6-12 year olds (32%) will likely experience 8 or more disruptions (i.e. new placements) while they are growing up in the foster care system (Casey Family Programs, The Foster Care Alumni Studies, Why Minimize Placement Change? 2007)
- 17 year-old Crystal reported being in 15 placements between the ages of 10-17; tragically, Crystal was in the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility when we visited one Friday night
- There is a direct correlation between the number of placements in foster care and troubles later in life such as mental health disorders, homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment (Casey Family Programs, The Foster Care Alumni Studies, Why Minimize Placement Change? 2007) (Children and Family Resource Center, Instability in Foster Care, 2002)
- Nearly 200 children in foster care are waiting for adoption in Indiana (Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association, 2009)
Read statistics about child abuse and neglect >