By Stephanie Lampe
Every year, many children join families through adoption or foster care. These families may face struggles or unique challenges. While there are obvious differences between families formed through birth and those formed by adoption or foster care, acceptance of those differences offers positive growth.
It is an unfortunate reality that faces hundreds of thousands of American children per year. When a home environment is not safe or appropriate for a child’s well-being, a caseworker is typically called to assess the situation. Many times, a therapist or pediatrician may be called to examine the child. If there is sufficient reason for concern about the health and/or safety of the child, a court may rule that the child be temporarily removed from the home.
In many cases, these are the children that become foster children. These children are children of all ages, origins, and backgrounds, but they all share one thing in common. All of these children need a loving family and a place to call home. These children are placed in foster care through no fault of their own. Every child needs and deserves the stability and hope of a loving home, where he or she feels cared for, safe, and supported.
In the past year, Greene County has had approximately 100 children in need of foster care, and yet there are only three Foster Care Homes in the county. “Many of our children have had to be placed outside of the county, even further away from home and familiar life,” said Mike Holloway, Deputy Director of Greene County Foster Care.
Many people don’t know much about the foster care system or Children and Youth Services and how they work. Some may base their opinions on what they see on television or in the movies, which don’t necessarily paint a pretty picture, and therefore, are often seen in a negative light. “There is not enough awareness about foster care,” says Michael.
The foster family becomes not only a safe home for a child in need, the difference that a foster parent can make in the child’s life can be overwhelmingly positive. Foster parents are trained, dedicated, caring people who have opened their homes, and perhaps their family, to children in need for as long as necessary. Making the decision to become a foster parent is not always an easy one, and it is certainly not without challenges. A foster parent doesn’t always fit a typical mold. Foster parents are hard-working, caring individuals from all socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Some are single or divorced without their own children, others may be married couples or older adults with adult children. The single most important factor for any foster parent is an unwavering commitment to provide a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for a child in need.
The Greene County Foster Care system follows a strict protocol before a child is removed from their home. The agency must respond to any referrals received, and caseworkers are sent for assessment and investigation. If the caseworker notices any signs of danger, abuse, or neglect, then immediate steps are taken via legal channels to remove the child from danger. If a judge rules that the child be removed, the search for a foster home begins.
Greene County Foster Care always begins their search with people the child knows, in an effort to maintain some stability for the child. “When a child is in foster care, there is trauma involved,” says Mike. If the option of a familiar person is not available, the agency begins searching for a suitable foster family. Children in foster care are often in a state of shock, and anything that a foster parent can do to help ease the child through such a difficult situation can be impactful.
Once a child is removed from their home, the biological parents have 15-24 months to correct the issues that caused the child to be placed in foster care. During that time, biological parents may have visitation with their child. The ultimate goal of the foster care system is always to reunite the child with his or her original family, if possible. Greene County Foster Care strives to not have a child in foster care for more than two years.
Usually, the best approach of the foster parent is to be calm and welcoming. And while the foster parent is willing to provide a loving home, they must also realize that the child may not always be able to give that love back, at least not right away.
In the words of Carrie Underwood, “Little boy, six years old; A little too used to being alone; Another new mom and dad, another school, another house that’ll never be home. When people ask him how he likes this place, he looks up and says with a smile upon his face, ‘This is my temporary home…’”
In a child’s world of uncertainty and doubt, foster parents are called upon to establish faith and trust, which takes time to build, and that can be difficult in a temporary situation. But, whether it’s for a few nights, a few months, a couple years, or the rest of a child’s life, a foster parent can make all the difference in the world!
There is no greater reward than helping a child thrive and grow. There is an urgent need for foster parents right here in Greene County. If you want to make a difference in a child’s life, becoming a foster parent may be for you. If you can open your heart, open your home, and change a life, then call Greene County Foster Care at 724-852-5217 or visit www.GCFosterCare.com for more information.
Meet the Director and Deputy Director of Greene County Foster Care/CYS
Greene County Foster Care/CYS Director Mark W. Starostanko resides in Clarksville. He has two daughters, Emily and Alexis. He graduated from Jefferson-Morgan in 1990. He attended Waynesburg College (now University) and graduated in 1994.
He later obtained a degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005. The hardest part of his job is seeing people that have suffered abuse and neglect, but he wants to help. “I want to make a lasting impact on people’s lives,” he shares. “I don’t want to be idle.” As for the future, Mark plans to stay where he is. “I want to retire from here,” he says. “I want my deputy director [Michael Holloway] to take over.”
Greene County Foster Care Deputy Director Michael Holloway, Jr. grew up in Greensboro. He and his wife, Chelsey, live in Waynesburg with their five children. He graduated from Mapletown High School and obtained his degree from California University of Pennsylvania.
He always wanted to make a lasting impression on the community so he got into social work. “I started as a caseworker,” he says. “It was hard when a child who had been removed from home asked you questions you didn’t know the answer to. Like when they wanted to know when they could go home, and you couldn’t answer because you didn’t know.” According to Michael, the most satisfying part of his job is when a child finally has stability. “It is so important to give a child stability,” he shares. As for the future, he plans to stay right where he is… Greene County Children and Youth.