| Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation Physician families connecting to create a healthier Sonoma County by improving the lives of those in need |
Who are the Foster Children?
These are children of all ages who need out-of-home placement because their own homes are not safe for them. The Sonoma County HSD FYC work with individuals and the community to ensure the safety and well-being of children under 18. (See "The Big Picture of Foster Care".)
HSD FYC provides protective and suportive social services in the belief that children and their families deserve stable nurturing homes, a supportive environment, and a sense of personal empowerment and hope. They respond to the allegations of abuse and neglect, intervene as deemed necessary, and provide services to families in which children are at risk. These interventions result in children entering into foster care. (See "Our Local Community".)
| Tragic TrendIt is not surprising that much of the
abuse, neglect, abandonment and
safety issues are substance abuse
related. The drug of particular
concern in our community is
methamphetamine. In 2004 the
World Health Organization estimated
there were 34 million users
worldwide, with California noted as
the leading producer of this drug in
our country. In a recent study
conducted to identify the impact of
methamphetamine use as it relates to Sonoma County Child Welfare cases: the conclusions were astounding. Of the open Child Welfare cases in Sonoma County, 50% involve parents who use methamphetamine. Parents who ause substances are known to pose a danger to their children. "Chronic drug users live in their own world and are rarely able to respond appropriately to their children's needs." The literature on this topic was broken down into specific categories: child safety, child neglect, physical abuse, sexual |
