Foster Care Uncovered: Insights from Dillon Copeland

Dillon Copeland, a dedicated Rotarian and a professional at Together for Youth, provides an insightful look into the foster care system in New York State. In his role, Copeland is deeply involved in the recruitment and support of foster parents, addressing the significant shortage of foster care providers.

Foster care serves as a temporary arrangement for children up to the age of 21 who cannot live with their parents due to various reasons such as neglect, abuse, or parental substance abuse. The aim is to provide a safe, supportive environment until a permanent solution is found, which may include reunification with the birth family, adoption, or an independent living arrangement for older children.

Copeland highlights a critical point about the transition of children into foster care: "Foster care is not a lifelong thing. Children are supposed to be in there for a short period of time," stressing the temporary nature of the arrangement. He also mentions the profound shift in the approach towards foster parents compared to decades ago: "Today, over 70% of adoptions that occur in the United States are from foster care," illustrating the evolving role of foster families in providing permanent homes.

Together for Youth, previously known as Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, has a long history of supporting vulnerable children. Originally a farm center where foster children could work and interact with animals, it now serves as the administrative hub for the organization, which also accommodates migrant children under specific programs.

The process of becoming a foster parent is thorough and stringent, involving multiple steps to ensure the safety and compatibility of homes for foster children. Copeland explains, "There is a process...if you go to our website and click to be an inquiry into becoming a foster parent...You'll get somebody from like myself...that'll give you the breakdown of what the process is to becoming a foster parent." This process includes detailed background checks, home visits, and extensive training provided by the state to prepare foster parents for the challenges ahead.

Those interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent or the services offered by Together for Youth can visit their website at togetherforyouth.org, where they can also find information about online sessions for prospective foster parents. Copeland's work and his dedication to the cause are commendable as he continues to advocate for children in need, emphasizing that "Every child deserves a chance to grow up in a safe, loving environment.

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