The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

151 on the child’s behalf with an overarching goal to achieve one of two outcomes: either the family will be reunified or a complete termination of parental rights will take place (Chittom, Lynn-nore, Wagner, Geraldine 1). With the termination of parental rights, the possibility of adoption is opened. There are many horror stories and criticisms of foster care as a whole, but judging by the statistics, success often occurs. Fifty-one percent of the children who exited foster care in 2012 left because they had the opportunity to reunite with their parents (Child Welfare Information Gateway 1). Reuniting the child with their family is typically the primary goal of caseworkers (Courtney, Flynn, Beaupré 165). In addition, about half of the children who left foster care in the same year were only a part of the out-of-home system for less than a year (Child Welfare Information Gateway 1). In January of 2000, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the implementation of a new set of guidelines known as the Child and Family Service Reviews. The purpose of these new regulations was to improve the odds of positive outcomes among foster care and other child welfare programs (Chittom, Lynn-nore, Wagner, Geraldine 1). Whether or not these additional rules are doing an adequate job is vague. Regardless, foster care has made a positive impact on the lives of many. Babe Ruth (one of the greatest professional players of all time) and Eddie Murphy (famous actor/comedian) both spent time in foster homes. Both of them went on to make a positive name for themselves in society. Babe Ruth and Eddie Murphy are by no means the only success stories to come out of foster care. One previously fostered child named Sara declared, “Foster care was one of the best things that ever happened to me ” (“Foster Care Success Stories”1). Sara is currently a successful model (“Foster Care Success Stories” 1). Sadly, not every fostered child receives the same results as Eddie Murphy, Babe Ruth, or Sara. The placement of an adolescent into residential or family foster care does not guarantee future health and happiness for previously victimized children. Courtney et al. gave the statistic, “24,000 foster youth who ‘age out’ of care each year are expected to make it on their own long before the vast majority of their peers” (1). “Aging out” too soon is not the only issue that reduces the chances of success in the world for foster children. Some never get over the physical, emotional, and mental trauma