HOMEPAGE for this issue: May 11, 2011 Download PDF Version // Click here to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Foster care: Providing a loving home to children in need

Foster family says the experience is rewarding

By Julie Filby

This is the second in a two-part series recognizing Foster Care Awareness Month.

After Anne and Russ Kochevar adopted two children through Catholic Charities in the late ‘90s, Anne felt a tug at her heart to be foster parents.

“When our boys were younger, we talked about doing the foster-to-adopt program as a way to grow our family … (as) we were unable to have biological children,” Anne said.

Years passed; the tug remained.

“Life seemed to move along faster than we expected, and we never expanded our family,” she said. “But the desire to become a foster family was always in the back of my mind.”

The Kochevars, parishioners of St. Thomas More Church in Centennial, adopted newborn Jackson in 1996, and Harrison in 1998.

“We were very happy and comfortable with Catholic Charities when we adopted our boys,” she said. “Everyone was warm and supportive.”

Last year Anne reintroduced the possibility of becoming a foster family with husband Russ, and their sons, now 14 and 12.

“Russ was more cautious about it and what it would involve,” Anne said. “That’s why we went to the training classes—without committing, we could see what’s involved; learn about it.”

By October 2010 they had met eligibility requirements and completed the process, which included background checks, references, interviews, training and home inspection. Later that month they welcomed newborn Allison (not her real name) into their home.

“She’s very sweet; very dear to our hearts,” Anne said while holding the cooing 9-month old. “The boys are really enjoying her; they’re very good with her. It’s fun to see them with a baby at their age.”

Since that time they also provided a home for two young brothers, ages 1 and 3, for two months—as the boys waited to be reunified with their grandmother.

Though it is not always possible, reunification with family is the goal for foster care. State figures showed 58 percent of children that left the system in 2003 were unified with birth parents or primary caregivers. Of children adopted through state agencies, 58 percent were adopted by non-relative foster parents and 31 percent were adopted by relatives.

“We went from a family of four to a family of seven in less than a month,” Anne said. “Being a foster parent, your family dynamics can change quickly.”

The Kochevars have found the experience rewarding.

“We’ve cared for kids that we’ve grown to love,” she said. “(By) sharing in their lives, we can hopefully make a difference.”

According to September 2003 figures, there were nearly 9,000 children in the foster care system in Colorado. May is National Foster Care Awareness Month: a month dedicated to recognizing and appreciating foster families and raising awareness about the urgent need for more.

“We’re very grateful for the ministry of foster parents,” said Stephen Carattini, chief operating officer of Catholic Charities. “They open up their homes and more importantly, they open up their hearts to these children in need and this takes a great deal of love and courage.”

Most children are placed in temporary foster care due to parental abuse or neglect, as determined by the courts and county department of human services. With 424,000 children and youths currently in out-of-home care nationally, it’s hard to ignore the impact of abuse and neglect.

“There are so many kids in the system that are ‘just waiting,’” Carattini said. “We’re always trying to attract additional foster care parents.”

Catholic Charities currently has 13 families certified for foster care, and 10 more in the process. They generally have about 18 children in the program, from newborn to 18 years old. Currently they have several children between 8 to11 years old.

To support the program and families involved, Catholic Charities has two full-time staff members and a part-time therapist that are accessible 24 hours a day. They provide training, respite care for children when full-time foster parents need a break, support groups and other resources—and they serve people of all faiths and backgrounds.

“They’re great,” said Anne. “Someone is always there for whatever our needs are.”

She also recognized the support of family, friends, neighbors and other foster families.

“We keep in touch with other foster families and connect with people through Catholic Charities monthly support group.”

For someone considering becoming a foster parent, Anne suggested talking with foster families and attending a training session.

Catholic Charities will host an information night 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 18 at the John Paul II Center. For more information, contact Cheryl Garcia at 303-742-0828 or CGarcia@ccdenver.org, or visit www.ccdenver.org/fostercare.