Dear CYFS Foster Parents, Your CYFS Child Welfare Team

One of the Hardest Jobs in The World

One of the most challenging jobs in the world is being a foster parent. Opening your home at 2 in the morning for a child, who looks at you at that time as if you are the enemy and not the refuge that you feel they should see it. Helping heal hearts while dealing with anger from wounds you never created. You are lifting a child up who is continually putting you down and never knowing when the hurt of trauma will rear its ugly head and when you will be the target of its fury. Yet foster parents lumber on knowing that there will be brighter days ahead and that the horrible names they called you are not geared towards you — it is just anger that has built-up in a child who has had to deal with more in their short lifetime, than even any adult should endure.

We, as foster parents, do this not for the reward or glory. We do it because we know that a child should never have to go through this alone, and that the hurt comes from the sting of trauma stemming from abuse or neglect. We do it because we know that someday the child who now feels busted and broken can heal. We also do it for that biological parent who has also experienced the hurt and addiction brought on by generational trauma. Now trying for a chance to heal themselves so they can get their child back.

Our reward for being a foster parent isn’t the money or the accolades – it is when you see that child who couldn’t do anything but sob and be angry – finally look at you and smiles for the first time. That biological parent who gets their child back and says, “Thank you for taking care of my baby while I could not.” Knowing that the impact that you have made can help a child to not become a statistic of homelessness, drug abuse, or incarceration. Being a foster parent is the most challenging, most rewarding job in the world and one that is not for the faint of heart. Because if it were easy, everyone would do it.

As a previous foster parent and adoptive parent of six teenage boys, please know that we understand, thank you, and applaud you.

Jesse Rodriguez-Hammond Recruitment and Retention Supervisor

Whether you are a licensed HMR, unlicensed HMR, or traditionally licensed foster caregiver, you are the stars of our agency. If not for the work you do for our children and youth, we would not be able to do the work we do. You are the ones we call in the middle of the night, looking for placement for our youth. You are the ones who go to doctors, dentists, school appointments and so much more.

You invite our youth into your homes and share your families, traditions, values and love with them, so they have a chance to work through the experiences life has given them.

You are the ones who hold down the fort at the home front for us and allow our youth a place to call home while they are in care.

Here is to the homes that have been newly licensed or renewed their license in the past fiscal year.