Kentuckians weigh in on state’s foster care system
Morris and her foster dad
Reporter: Olivia Eiler
The number of children in the Kentucky foster care system is at a record high.
Across the state, officials are holding forums on how to improve the existing system. Three people shared their own experiences in south central Kentucky with News Channel 12.
Entering the system
Alaura Mae entered the foster care system when she was 14 years old.
She said it came as a shock when she was pulled out of a high school classroom.
Mae said one of the hardest parts was leaving on bad terms with her biological mother. She didn’t know when she’d see her mother next.
It wasn’t until January 2019, when Mae was 19 years old.
Kathryn Morris’s introduction to the Kentucky foster care system came as less of a surprise.
Morris lived in group care before being placed in a more traditional foster home.
Sydney Jones, a therapist in Bowling Green, narrowly avoided growing up in the foster care system.
Jones wanted to do more than provide therapy.
She eventually wanted to open up her home.
Living in the system
Foster care is not fun. It is not beautiful.
Alaura Mae
Mae lived through several placements.
She said the worst was respite care. Mae said it was overcrowded and that the other foster kids made trouble.
Before graduating high school, Mae had a child of her own.
Mae expressed gratitude towards one of her foster mothers. Still, she said the situation was far from perfect.
The following video contains language some viewers may find upsetting.
Morris said her experience was much more positive.
Morris was just two years old when she moved in with foster mother, Suanna, and her husband.
Morris doesn’t have many memories of that time, but the few she does have are happy.
At the age of 5, Morris returned to her father’s care. It was a bittersweet moment.
Ten months ago, Jones gave birth to a daughter. Shortly after, she opened her home to a 15-year-old girl.
Although Jones has experience working in foster care, she still faces challenges as a foster parent.
Jones said setting expectations is one of the big challenges. She tries to apply what she’s learned on the job to her new foster parenthood.
Leaving the system
Like 98% of people leaving Kentucky’s foster care system, Mae didn’t receive housing support.
Now, Mae lives with her biological parents in Michigan.
Her son is still in the foster care system.
Their next court date is in November.
Jones hopes her foster daughter will leave with the sense that the world is bigger than just her backyard.
Morris has always kept in touch with Suanna.
Even a cross-country move when she turned 14 didn’t stop her.
Even today, Morris wonders how her life would have turned out if Suanna had adopted her.
Now, Morris lives in Las Vegas.
An unexpected tragedy brought her even closer to Suanna.
Suanna’s husband passed away in September, 2017.
Morris said she and Suanna have provided ongoing support for each other since their losses.
How to help
Jones thinks turnover is one of the biggest challenges facing the Kentucky foster care system. She said more can be done to retain social workers.
Jones said turnover has a direct impact on children and foster parents.
Jones also said there is a growing need for foster parents.
Even if you aren’t ready or able to foster, Jones said there are still two major ways you can help.
Alternatives
One alternative to foster care is kinship care. To learn about the challenges facing that program, visit our article at this clickable link.
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