Foster Care and Adoption

Foster care and adoption programs provide services to a particularly vulnerable group of children who we cannot allow to slip through the cracks. Commonly, children receiving services in foster and adoption programs are at higher risk for sexual abuse, and many have already experienced the devastating impact of abuse or neglect.

  • How can this vulnerable population be protected?

  • How can program staff members and volunteers be protected from false allegations?

  • How can we protect children from other sexually aggressive children?

Why are children at risk in foster care and adoption programs?

Adoption remains a vital component of the foster care system because it provides proper care and loving homes to children who have been abused, abandoned, neglected or whose parents cannot provide adequate care for them. 

Many in the ‘adoption family’ fail to understand how and when children are at risk of sexual abuse during and following the adoption process. Many adopted children have been previously victimized, and are therefore at high risk for re-victimization. While protective barriers may be high related to candidates applying to adopt, this is often not the case for all other adults or teens who will interact with these children.

What should foster care and adoption programs do to prevent sexual abuse?

Foster care and adoption initiatives and programs are critical; in many cases, lives depend upon them. However, the need for these programs should not enable administrators to ignore the very real threat to children in these programs—saving children from one threat while exposing them to another. Employees, volunteers and respite caregivers must be aware of the risk sexual abuse and sexual abusers pose to the children in their care.

MinistrySafe provides unique resources for foster care and adoption programs, including:

  • Sexual Abuse Awareness Training appropriate for employees, volunteers and respite caregivers
  • Training for screening personnel and sample forms for applications, references and interviews, as part of the Skillful Screening Process
  • Safety Policies and Procedures that dovetail with Sexual Abuse Awareness Training
  • Criminal Background Checks adapted by the client to fit the specific position
  • The MinistrySafe online Control Panel, giving administrators the ability to easily monitor the 5-Part Safety System
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"The services provided by MinistrySafe have helped Lena Pope Home further develop our risk management programs to protect children from abuse. They have also educated our staff as to the importance of our diligence as well as legal requirements related to their behavior with children and their responsibility to observe others with children."

Ted Blevins
Executive Director
Lena Pope Home
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Are you ready to

prevent sexual abuse

in your foster or

adoption program?