Family law: Foster care in Maryland

There are many children waiting to be a part of a stable, caring and loving environment. Some kids in Maryland are waiting for foster families who will care for them within the parameters provided by family law rules. What many people don’t realize is that there are different types of foster care situations: having a child stay in the home of people unrelated to them, group homes or kinship care.

Because of the negatives associated with group homes and foster care, there are federal regulations in place governing these facilities. Abuse still happens in these places, but most group homes now are smaller scale and focus on how to integrate children back into their local communities. Kids living in group homes go to school and have a structured life, which includes counseling and other services to try to make their lives better.

Kinship care can be a wonderful experience for a child since it is full-time care provided by those who know the child and with whom the child has already formed a positive relationship. That could include grandparents, aunt and uncles, godparents or anyone else the child knows and loves. Kinship care comes under the umbrella of Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, Title IV of the Social Security Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Children in foster care can grow into responsible, caring adults when they have positive experiences with foster parents. A family lawyer Frederick, MD trusts may be able to help his or her clients who have questions regarding the legalities of the foster care system. Those thinking about fostering children may be able to make logical and wise decisions when they know the legalities surrounding this type of care.