THROUGH FOSTER CARE
OF CHILDREN
RE-VICTIMIZATION
Re-victimization is the repeated infliction of trauma following a prior victimization. It may stem from further abuse or from damaging responses to the original harm, and it deepens wounds that have not yet had the chance to heal. In failure-to-protect cases, state intervention replaces one crisis with a series of others, placing children into new conditions of danger and insecurity.
​
We must banish the abuser,
not the children.
INSTABILITY
HOUSING
A stable home gives children a sense of safety, routine, and belonging. When kids know where they will stay and who will care for them, they can focus on learning, growing, and forming healthy connections. Repeated moves force children to adjust to new environments and stay alert instead of relaxed, increasing stress and anxiety and disrupting the secure relationships and familiar comforts that children rely on to feel calm, connected, and confident.
CHILDREN IN NV FOSTER CARE
3+ moves during < 1 year in NV foster care
3+ moves during
1-2 years
in NV foster care
3+ moves during
2+ years
in NV foster care
CHILDREN NOT IN FOSTER CARE
3+ moves during 18-year childhood
THE DANGERS OF UNSTABLE HOUSING​​
-
Triggers chronic stress responses, which can affect brain development
-
Increases risk of missed medical care and other vital supports
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Forces children to repeatedly rebuild social networks, increasing loneliness
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Can lead to academic disruption and difficulty keeping up with learning
-
Heightens exposure to unsafe or unpredictable living situations, increasing trauma risk
Sibling relationships are often the most influential and longest-lasting bonds in a child’s life, especially when family stability is disrupted.
of children in foster care are separated from at least one sibling
75%
THE IMPORTANCE OF SIBLING BONDS
-
Siblings provide comfort, security, and emotional support during traumatic transitions
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Shared experiences help children cope with stress and feel less alone
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Older siblings often serve as protective figures, helping younger siblings feel safe
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Staying together preserves family culture, identity, and personal history
-
Siblings placed together show better behavior and mental health outcomes and a stronger sense of belonging
SEPARATION
SIBLING
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the court rarely separates siblings in divorce or custody case. Separating siblings who have been removed from their parents intensifies pain, grief, and trauma.
DISRUPTION
EDUCATIONAL
School provides children with safety, routine, and a sense of belonging. In the classroom and on the playground, kids build friendships, discover their abilities, and develop confidence. A steady and supportive school setting strengthens learning, resilience, and well-being, helping children grow into their full potential.
On average, children in foster care are forced to change schools 2-3 times during single foster care episode. Each school change can set learning back by about 6 months of academic progress. 35% - 40% of foster youth are absent at least ten days per academic year, compared to 15% of the general population.
INCREASED
VULNERABILITY
Because they are disconnected from trusted adults, foster youth are frequently sought out by predators who exploit children. While in foster care, children are statistically more vulnerable to fall victim to:
Gang Members
Human Traffickers
Manipulative Partners
Dishonest Recruiters
Financial
Scammers
Drug
Dealers
FOSTER YOUTH
4X
MORE LIKEY
TO BE SEXUALLY ABUSED
FOSTER YOUTH
3X
THAN CHILDREN NOT IN FOSTER CARE
MORE LIKEY
TO EXPERIENCE PTSD
THAN COMBAT VETERANS
HEALTHCARE
INCONSISTENCY
Frequent placement changes interrupt medical treatment, overexpose children to new providers, and create gaps in essential care. Without consistent health oversight, conditions go untreated, medications are mismanaged, and trauma-related needs are overlooked, placing children at increased risk for lifelong health challenges.
of foster children have untreated or poorly managed physical health conditions.
50%
of foster youth change primary doctors when moved, resulting in lost medical history and discontinuity of care.
60%
as likely to have unmet dental needs than children at home
Children in foster care are
TWICE
Fewer than
1 in 4 foster children receive adequate mental health services
more likely to receive psychotropic medications than other children
3-6X
Foster youth are
1 in 3
foster youth experiences a lapse in health insurance coverage during placement changes
CULTURAL
DISCONNECTION
Children find grounding in the familiar languages, traditions, and community ties that shape who they are. When they are placed in unfamiliar homes or separated from family networks, they can lose connection to their culture, heritage, and sense of belonging. This disruption can leave children feeling disconnected from their identity and unsure of where they fit in the world.
more likely to be placed in foster homes that do not share their cultural background
Children of color are
2-3X
2X
Foster youth are
as likely to attend weekly religious services compared to children living with their parents
40%
of foster youth report feeling a loss of cultural identity while in care.
1 in 3
foster youth report being discouraged from practicing their cultural or religious traditions while in care.
of LGBTQIA+ said they felt they “can never be their authentic self” in their current placement.
42%
WHEN HARM FROM THE ABUSER ENDS,
HARM FROM THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BEGIN.