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In Chicago, children facing challenges beyond their control require a nurturing environment to find stability. Foster parents play a crucial role in providing this haven, stepping in to offer support while biological parents work towards resolving their issues.
In celebration of Black History Month, ABC7 Chicago is highlighting the pressing need for more foster parents, especially for children from diverse backgrounds.
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When children are at risk, the state intervenes through the Department of Children and Family Services, which prioritizes reuniting families whenever feasible.
The interim period, however, is pivotal for the children involved. Foster parents bridge this gap, offering a secure and caring environment that can have a profound impact on a child’s future.
The Department of Children and Family Services is actively seeking more individuals and families willing to open their homes and hearts, with an emphasis on increasing the number of foster families from minority communities.
The Taylors married later in life and with positive stories of foster care in their families. They wanted to be foster parents. Janaya was 6 days old when they met her.
“Janaya heard me talk lifted her head smiled and put her head back down i started crying i said she’s coming home with us,” foster parent Tussanee Taylor said.
A year later, Janaya’s brother Latravis was born. The temporary foster placements became permanent with adoptions last year.
Dad Michael Taylor was on a church retreat the day we visited.
“I love being a father I love being a parent and I don’t see a difference in foster parent and parent,” Michael Taylor said.
Monique Fultz is a foster mom who adopted two of her foster children. She is also an author and playwright who writes about HER experiences in foster care. Fultz shared she was in a series of abusive homes.
“It was the most horrible time of my life,” Fultz said.
But Fultz says one foster family was able to salvage her spirit and give her hope. Fultz wants readers and audience members to know while things can go wrong, a loving, safe place can make all the difference in the world.
“You are fostering to help that child right now. you never know how you are going to change that child’s life,” Fultz said.
“Any child needs a loving supportive environment and it’s like planting those seeds you don’t plant good seeds you may not have a good outcome,” Illinois Department of Public Health Assistant Director Dr. Janice Phillips said.
Dr. Phillips was in foster care, enduring what she describes as verbal and physical abuse. Her African American social worker was kind and encouraging. Phillips says without Miss Anna May Earls, she would not be where she is.
“Three words you have potential totally my perspective of myself i had never heard those words,” Dr. Phillips said. “I think more communities of color need to step up we all need to step up there are too many children out there.”
Philips says while any loving parent can become culturally competent, she sees the need for more African Americans to consider becoming foster parents.
DCFS reports more than 4,800 children entered foster care last year statewide. In Cook and collar counties when looking at traditional foster homes, those who are outside of the child’s family, there are more white licensed foster home than African American foster homes. But, there are more African American children in foster care then White children.
“There is room for everybody and there is a need for more African Americans and people of color to foster children,” Dr. Phillips said.
“I don’t think they realize how blessed they would be if they just opened up their hearts to someone else’s child,” Fultz said.
DCFS welcomes all Illinoisans to consider being foster parents.
The Taylors say their faith has guided them.
“These children need us,” Michael Taylor said.
“If you’re ready, go for it. If you have the space in your home, why not fill it with love?” Tussanee Taylor said. “It has been such a blessing.”
For more information about becoming a foster parent in Illinois, visit https://dcfs.illinois.gov/loving-homes/fostercare.html
To become a foster parent, visit https://dcfs.illinois.gov/loving-homes/become-a-foster-or-adoptive-parent.html
Fultz’s play “Nowhere to Call Home” opens May 8. For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nowhere-to-call-home-stage-play-tickets-1979313132862
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