The Need

Girl on Swing

In our communities, there are abused and neglected children who live in the shadows of our lives. She may be the quiet girl in your son’s class, who had to move homes and change schools three times in the last year. He may be the lonely child at the park who never joins the game.

Every child needs to be treasured, protected and nurtured. Unfortunately, some parents can’t—or won’t—care for their children. When they neglect or abuse them, someone must step in to ensure the children’s safety. That’s the job of the Division of Family & Children Services – DFCS, along with the police and the courts.

When DFCS determines it is not safe for a child to remain in the home of his or her caregiver, the child is placed in foster care. Foster care is intended to be a temporary home away from home while the agency works with the child’s family to eliminate or minimize the safety issues that caused agency involvement.

Statistics indicate children entering foster care are at increased risk of developmental delays and disabilities due to a variety of factors. They often also suffer emotional distress due to the trauma of being removed from their home.

Each year in Georgia, thousands of children are placed in foster care. These children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They need to do more than simply survive. They need to thrive, in the safety and love of a family or caregiver throughout their childhood and into adulthood. They deserve the chance to live in a safe, loving and permanent home.

The Open Arms Home for Children, in cooperation with DFCS and CASA plays a central role in fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation—caring for children affected by abuse and neglect.