Back-to-school transition tough on Ohio foster families

By Nadia Ramlagan

Ohio schools had more than 14,000 students in foster care last academic year and experts said the back-to-school season presents challenges for kids who may have had to change schools and living situations.

Research shows youth in foster care are more likely to perform poorly in school and face disciplinary actions.

Kara Webster, a foster and adoptive parent in Montgomery County, said patience with kids who have experienced serious trauma can go a long way.

"It's very different when your teacher says, 'I'm going to call your foster parent,' versus your mom. They aren't getting on the bus with their parents there, which is really hard for some kids," Webster explained.

Webster and her husband fostered and adopted two boys, Caleb and Dylan, who were split up when they entered the foster care system but were adopted together. Experts said siblings experience significantly better emotional, behavioral and stability outcomes when they go through their journey alongside each other.

Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, said schools and communities can help foster and adoptive families get off to the right start this fall.

"Giving them latitude, giving them support, making sure the foster parent has all of the support that they need or the adoptive parent," Soronen urged.

The foundation has helped place nearly 1,800 children from foster care into permanent homes in Ohio through its Wendy's Wonderful Kids program.