Urgent Crisis: Delaware’s Foster Care System Faces Severe Shortage

UPDATE: Delaware’s foster care crisis is escalating, with 470 children currently in the system and urgent needs not being met. As the clock ticks, teens are waiting longer for permanent homes, and many are aging out without the stability they desperately require.

On Tuesday, December 2, a critical opportunity for community engagement will occur at the West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington. The WHYY News Pop-Up Newsroom and Foster Care Resource Fair aims to raise awareness about foster care and adoption opportunities in Delaware, where the situation is increasingly dire.

The state’s foster care system, strained across three counties, is facing a quiet emergency. Infants enter the system with nowhere to go, while teenagers are often left in temporary placements, longing for a family to call their own. Tragically, many youth age out of the system, stepping into adulthood without the necessary support and stability.

According to the Division of Family Services, the demographics of the children in foster care reflect the state’s diversity: 298 Black children, 168 white children, 39 Hispanic children, and four Asian children are among those seeking homes. Each child’s journey is unique, shaped by their circumstances and placement.

Trenee Parker, the director of the Division of Family Services, highlights the pressing need for foster parents who can offer specialized care for children with medical conditions, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. She states, “What we are trying to do right now is engage the community; to have families who are interested in providing services to teenagers, to sibling groups.”

The most urgent need is for families willing to foster teenagers, who often have faced significant trauma before entering the system. Parker urges, “Teenagers are a population that we need more families for.” The challenge is compounded by the geographical and cultural distances between children and potential foster homes, particularly in Sussex County, where finding suitable placements has become increasingly difficult.

As the state grapples with this crisis, partner agencies are stepping in to fill the gaps. Organizations like Children & Families First and Pressley Ridge provide essential services, from medical care to independent living programs for teens. Theresa Broome, program manager at Children & Families First, observes the strain firsthand: over 50 children need care, while only 35 foster families are available, with 16 more in training.

Despite rigorous training programs, the shortage of families willing to foster older youth continues to push many teenagers toward aging out of the system. “Families often feel they can have a bigger impact with younger children,” Broome explains, highlighting a significant barrier to placing older youth.

The transition from foster care to adulthood can be fraught with uncertainty. Teens who age out at 18 lose the safety net that has supported them throughout childhood. West End Neighborhood House’s Lifeline program steps in to provide ongoing support for youth aged 16 to 23, offering housing and guidance as they navigate this critical phase of life. Program director Stacy Shamburger notes, “We serve youth that are active in foster care and those who have aged out.”

The challenges for these young adults are profound, especially in the current housing crisis. “Finding affordable housing is an enormous hurdle,” Shamburger emphasizes, pointing out that many 18- to 23-year-olds struggle to secure stable living conditions.

As the state explores solutions, Delaware’s Tuition Waiver Program is a beacon of hope for those pursuing higher education. This initiative enables eligible youth to attend in-state colleges without incurring debt, covering housing and meal plans. Parker reports that since its launch, approximately 40 students have benefitted, with five graduates already emerging from the program.

To combat the pressing issues within the foster care system, community involvement is vital. Parker encourages individuals to support youth in various ways, from sponsoring extracurricular activities to providing mentorship. “It does take a village to make sure that our youth are going to be okay,” she asserts.

As Delaware faces this urgent crisis, the need for foster families and community support has never been more critical. Those interested in learning more about fostering or adoption are encouraged to attend the upcoming resource fair on December 2, a step towards addressing this growing emergency.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as the future of Delaware’s vulnerable youth hangs in the balance.