Misinformation: The foster system really just takes children away from families that are having a hard time because they know they can adopt them out.

Reality: The foster system is not designed to be an adoption agency. If that were true the more than 130,000 foster children on average waiting for an adoptive family, wouldn't be waiting. The job of the foster care system is to protect the children from harm. The goal is always to reunite families if at all possible. On average only 20 percent of the children who come into foster care become available for adoption. The majority of funding and programs are designed to meet the needs of the foster care system, not the process of finding and supporting families for those children who cannot return to their biological families.

Misinformation "sort of": The foster system is so dysfunctional that it doesn’t really help any one

Reality: Yes it is true that the foster system is dysfunctional. However saying that it doesn't help anyone is a false statement. The majority of social service workers put their hearts on the line everyday helping children, adults and families. For a family interested in becoming a foster family, or adopt-foster family, it is not without its challenges and certainly not for the faint of heart. The truth is, the system is broken but everyday there are small improvements which lead to bigger improvements that benefit all of us. Becoming a child advocate, obtaining your foster license, or adopting a child from the foster care system means you're part of the solution; and if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.

Miss Information: “They” are really just looking to dump all the really hard kids on you as a foster parent