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 There are over 500,000 foster children in the U.S. at any given point in time.
Many of these children live in urban centers, come from minority backgrounds, and are victims of a repeated series of foster care experiences outside of their natural cultures, separated from their siblings and crossing multiple county lines. These "serial foster care"
children are particularly susceptible to "falling through the cracks" of the typical foster system.
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The Stats |
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In Georgia every 30 minutes, a child is the victim of abuse. Georgia received 101,563 reports of child abuse last year with 30,951 of those being substantiated as victims of child abuse. About 85% of those children were victims of severe neglect. As of December 2005, 15,119 children were in state custody; of these 30% have been in foster care for more than 24 months, 41% were less than six years old, and 67% were younger than 12. There are over 4,174 foster parents helping to care for 8,386 displaced children. Georgia ranks 39 out of 50 states in caring for and overall well being of these children. 
“The problem of children languishing in foster care is hardly new. But most of the time, it is a quiet crisis, below the radar of most citizens – until a child in foster care dies, or is abused, or is lost and cannot be accounted for.”
A Permanent Mark Children in foster care are three to six times more likely than children not in care to have emotional, behavioral, and developmental problems, including conduct disorders, depression, difficulties in school, and impaired social relationships. |
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The State or the Streets? |
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 While many live with licensed foster parents, 18% of children in the foster care system are in a group home or institution. Nearly 10,000 foster children are runaways.
The Village USA acts as a “caulk” to fill identified cracks within the continuum of care, by developing a supportive community that will serve foster children, and the families and agencies who care for them.
With the understanding that many children may transition between different foster homes or group homes, it is our goal to help identify and support the foster children who are most vulnerable to “falling through the cracks”. We will serve as a “catalyst” and “orchestrator” of transformational experiences, child development opportunities and a sustained, metropolitan-wide presence, specifically supporting these “serial” foster children. |
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Our Pledge. |
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 We will we seek to provide consistency, continuity and a sense of belonging throughout their continuum of care. During summer months we provide children the opportunity to have fun just “being kids” in an atmosphere of consistency, stability and love.
Throughout the year, we will assist them in identifying or pursuing their gifts and talents through our weekend experiential learning and arts program. Children will learn how to become responsible citizens in their communities and on a global level through structured ongoing outreach programs.
Further, our year-round programs and services will allow caregivers to take an occasional break from the unrelieved stress of caring for children in crisis. We believe that there are times when this is necessary in order for the caregiver to function well.
However, when they do not receive the necessary time to “recharge their batteries,” the caregivers health and well being, as well as the health and well-being of the children may be threatened. |
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