Every year, countless children across the United States enter the foster care system, a network designed to protect them from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Known formally as the juvenile dependency system, foster care places these young individuals, considered dependents of the court, under the care of professionals and caregivers. The primary goal is to ensure their safety, meet their needs, and establish a stable future.
Today’s foster care is a sophisticated framework involving professionals, dedicated caregivers, and volunteers, all working towards the well-being of children. However, the concept of “foster care” and its implementation have undergone significant transformations throughout history. Understanding when foster care programs started requires a look back at the historical milestones that shaped the system we recognize today.
Voices For Children History of Foster Care Month
The Genesis of Child Care: 1500s – English Poor Laws
The earliest forms of organized child welfare can be traced back to the “English Poor Laws” of the 16th century. These laws addressed poverty and social issues in England, stipulating that impoverished, homeless, or orphaned children could be placed into indentured servitude until they reached adulthood. This practice was transported to the American Colonies, where “foster homes” were essentially households that took in these indentured children, offering a place to live and work. This rudimentary system marked a very early stage in the history of caring for children outside of their biological families.
The First Recorded Foster Child in the Colonies: 1636
Just thirty years after the establishment of Jamestown Colony, Benjamin Eaton, a seven-year-old, became the first documented foster child in the American Colonies in 1636. While details are sparse, this event signifies the formal recognition of placing a child in care outside of their immediate family within the burgeoning colonial society.
Establishing Foundations: 1853 – The Advent of Modern Foster Care Concepts
The mid-19th century witnessed the emergence of initiatives that laid the groundwork for modern foster care. Reverend Charles Loring Brace, deeply concerned by the plight of neglected and homeless children in New York City, established the Children’s Aid Society of New York in 1853. This pioneering program provided shelter, sustenance, educational opportunities, and outdoor activities to thousands of orphaned children. Crucially, Children’s Aid spearheaded the Orphan Train Movement. While controversial in retrospect, this program aimed to relocate orphaned children from overcrowded urban centers to families in the Midwest, seeking to provide them with stable homes and better prospects. This era marks a significant point in when foster care programs started to take a more organized and proactive shape.
Local and State Involvement: Mid-to Late 1800s
Building upon the foundations laid by Children’s Aid New York, local agencies and state governments began to play a more active role in foster care placements. Massachusetts, in the mid-1800s, initiated payments to families who cared for children too young to work, acknowledging the financial aspect of providing care. Further solidifying governmental oversight, Pennsylvania, in the late 19th century, enacted legislation making it a misdemeanor for families to care for multiple unrelated children without proper licensing. These steps illustrate the increasing formalization and regulation of child care outside of parental homes.
Shifting Focus to Child Protection: Early 1900s
The early 20th century marked a crucial shift in the philosophy and practice of foster care. Local agencies began to take on responsibilities for paying and monitoring foster parents, maintaining records of placements, and, most importantly, considering the individual needs of children when making placement decisions. The concept of reunification services emerged, aiming to support families in addressing issues and reuniting with their children. Foster parents started to coalesce into networks, moving away from isolated individual efforts towards a more interconnected “foster care” system. This period highlights a pivotal evolution in when foster care programs started to prioritize child welfare directly.
Emphasizing Home Life and Stability: 1919
The Children’s Bureau, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, released “Minimum Standards of Child Welfare” in 1919. This publication underscored the paramount importance of keeping children within their own homes whenever safely possible. When removal was necessary, it advocated for foster placements that could offer an environment resembling “home life,” emphasizing the need for nurturing and stable environments for children in care.
Federal Government’s Role: 1935 – Social Security Act
A landmark moment in the history of foster care occurred with the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935. This legislation authorized the first federal grants for child welfare services, contingent upon states conducting inspections of foster homes. This federal involvement signified a major turning point, providing financial support and standardization to state-level foster care initiatives, and further defining when foster care programs started to become a nationally recognized and supported system.
Foster Care as Refuge: 1939-1945 – World War II Era
During World War II, foster care played an unexpected role as a refuge. Thousands of children fleeing the dangers of war-torn England were temporarily placed in foster homes across the United States. This period demonstrated the adaptability and responsiveness of the foster care system in providing safety and care during times of crisis, showcasing its capacity beyond domestic child welfare needs.
Introducing Child Advocacy: 1977 – CASA Model
The 1970s saw the introduction of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) model, initiated by Judge David Soukup in Seattle, Washington. Recognizing the need for more in-depth information for court decisions, Judge Soukup pioneered the concept of trained volunteers who would advocate for the best interests of foster children. CASA volunteers offered consistent support and advocacy throughout a child’s time in foster care, providing detailed court reports and continuity amidst placement changes. This model rapidly spread across the US, leading to the establishment of CASA programs nationwide, including Voices for Children in San Diego County in 1980.
National Recognition: 1988 – National Foster Care Month
Foster care gained national recognition in 1988 when President Reagan proclaimed May as National Foster Care Month. This annual observance served to raise awareness about foster care, honor foster parents, and highlight the needs of children in the system, further solidifying the importance of foster care in the national consciousness.
Extending Support for Young Adults: 2012 – Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program
California’s Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program, implemented in 2012 following the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 12 in 2010, represented a significant advancement in support for older youth in foster care. This program allowed eligible young adults to remain in foster care up to age 21, provided they met specific criteria such as pursuing education, employment, or managing a medical condition. EFC aimed to provide a longer safety net and greater stability for young people transitioning out of foster care into adulthood.
Supporting Foster Youth Today
The foster care system in the United States continues to evolve in response to the ongoing challenges of child abuse and neglect. With hundreds of thousands of children experiencing foster care annually, ensuring the well-being of each child remains a critical endeavor. The CASA model, born in 1977, continues to be a vital force, providing individualized advocacy through dedicated volunteers. CASA volunteers offer crucial support by working with professionals, spending time with foster children, connecting them with resources, and providing detailed insights to the courts, ultimately striving to shape positive futures for these vulnerable children.
To contribute to the life of a foster child, consider becoming a CASA volunteer. Sign up for an online volunteer Information Session today and learn how you can make a difference.
Sources
(1) Findlaw, Foster Care: Background and History
(2) National Foster Parent Association, History of Foster Care in the United States
(3) Children’s Aid, A History of Innovation
(4) Children’s Bureau, Standards of Child Welfare
(5) Children’s Bureau, Foster Care Month History
(6) CASA Guardian ad Litem (CASa/ GAL), The History of CASA/GAL Movement
(7) Adoption.org, When Did Foster Care Start?
(8) California Department of Social Services
