The foster care system plays a critical role in providing safety and stability for children in need, but it’s also fraught with challenges—particularly when it comes to meeting the emotional and cultural needs of children. One aspect of foster care that is often overlooked is cultural continuity, a concept that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a child’s cultural identity and heritage throughout their time in the system. In this blog, we will explore the significance of cultural continuity in foster care, the unique role parents of color play in fostering children of color, and how the system can better support these needs. 

1. Introduction 

In this blog, you will note the use of the term “resource parent” as well as “foster parent.” The state of Oregon has made an intentional shift to the term “resource parent,” to ensure foster care is family based, time-limited, culturally responsive and designed to better stabilize families rather than just serving as a placement for children. It reinforces the concept of caregivers for children in foster care as a family-centered resource since the primary goal in Child Welfare is reunification, when possible. 

The foster care system is designed to provide temporary homes for children who cannot remain with their biological families due to neglect, abuse, or other circumstances. While these placements are meant to provide safety and security, there are significant emotional and developmental hurdles that children in foster care often face. One of the most critical yet often overlooked factors in the success of these placements is cultural continuity. 

Cultural continuity refers to maintaining a child’s connection to their culture, heritage, and traditions—key aspects of identity that contribute to a child’s emotional well-being and sense of belonging. When foster care placements don’t consider a child’s cultural background, it can cause confusion, alienation, and hinder their emotional development. So why does cultural continuity matter? Because it helps children feel rooted in who they are, providing a sense of pride, stability, and confidence that is vital for their mental health and growth. 

2. The Importance of Cultural Continuity 

Benefits for Children: Identity Development, Mental Health, and Emotional Stability 

Children who are placed in foster care often face feelings of abandonment, grief, and disorientation. These feelings can be amplified when they are placed in homes where their cultural identity is not recognized or valued. Research shows that children who experience cultural disconnection are more likely to struggle with issues related to self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. 

On the other hand, when children are placed in homes that honor and support their cultural background, they are more likely to develop a healthy sense of self and a strong identity. This continuity is essential for emotional stability because it helps children understand where they come from, which can act as a source of strength during difficult times. Having a supportive, culturally affirming environment fosters resilience, a key factor for children facing trauma. 

Connection to Heritage: Language, Traditions, and Cultural Practices 

Cultural continuity is not just about maintaining a child’s ethnic or racial identity but also about keeping them connected to their language, traditions, and cultural practices. Whether it’s speaking a native language, celebrating holidays, or continuing family customs, these cultural practices help children feel grounded and connected to their community. This connection is essential not only for emotional stability but also for helping children build positive relationships with their cultural peers and foster a sense of belonging. 

The Role of Community in Reinforcing Cultural Identity 

Cultural continuity is not just about the family unit. It also extends to the larger community. When children are placed in culturally familiar environments, they are more likely to experience a sense of belonging that extends beyond the family. This sense of community plays an essential role in the child’s identity development, providing them with mentors, role models, and a broader network of support that aligns with their cultural background. 

If you’d like to begin your journey becoming a foster parent/resource parent, know that Every Child Oregon is here to help you. To begin your journey, reach out to us and we’ll be here to answer any questions you may have!

3. Why Families of Color Are Critical in Foster Care 

Statistics on Children of Color in the Foster Care System 

Children of color make up a disproportionate percentage of the foster care system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Black, Latino, and Native American children are more likely to enter the foster care system than their white counterparts. In fact, Black children represent about 23% of all children in foster care, despite making up only 14% of the child population. 

This underrepresentation is significant because when children of color are placed with families outside of their culture, they may struggle with maintaining their sense of identity and connection to their heritage. 

The Underrepresentation of Parents of Color in Fostering Roles 

Despite the high number of children of color in foster care, parents of color remain underrepresented in fostering roles. Research shows that families of color are less likely to be approached or encouraged to become foster parents/resource parents, often due to systemic biases or a lack of targeted outreach. However, families of color are uniquely positioned to provide the cultural continuity that children of color need in foster care. These families bring not only cultural knowledge but also an understanding of the unique challenges children of color face in society, including racism, discrimination, and identity struggles. 

How Fostering Aligns with Cultural Values of Community and Extended Family 

In many communities of color, there is a strong emphasis on the value of extended family and community. In these cultures, raising children is seen as a shared responsibility, with the support of relatives, neighbors, and community members playing an integral role in a child’s upbringing. This collective approach to caregiving aligns well with the needs of children in foster care, particularly those who come from similar cultural backgrounds. Parents of color who choose to foster children of color are often guided by these same cultural values, providing children with a broader, more holistic sense of family and community. 

4. How to Promote Cultural Continuity in Foster Care 

Encouraging Families of Color to Explore Fostering 

One of the first steps in promoting cultural continuity in foster care is encouraging families of color to consider fostering. By creating more outreach efforts specifically for these families and addressing barriers to entry—such as financial constraints, lack of awareness, or concerns about the fostering process—more families of color can be brought into the system. Families who share cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds with children in care are better equipped to provide the nurturing, culturally affirming environment these children need. 

Training Programs for Foster Parents on Cultural Awareness 

Training programs for foster parents/resource parents can help ensure that caregivers are equipped to meet the cultural needs of the children in their care. This includes providing education on cultural differences, understanding the importance of maintaining cultural practices, and recognizing the unique challenges children of color may face. Foster parents/resource parents should also be trained to support the child’s identity development and to build relationships with the child’s cultural community. 

Partnerships with Organizations Supporting Cultural Diversity in Foster Care 

Foster care agencies can partner with organizations that focus on cultural diversity and inclusion. These partnerships can help foster families connect with cultural resources and create a network of support that understands the complexities of cultural identity. By collaborating with local cultural organizations, foster care agencies can provide better resources for both foster families and children. 

5. Supporting Information and Real Stories 

Examples of Successful Placements with Cultural Continuity 

Research and real-world examples show the positive impact of cultural continuity in foster care. In several cases, children placed in homes that matched their cultural background have demonstrated better emotional adjustment, higher academic performance, and a stronger sense of community. These success stories highlight the importance of placing children with families who can nurture their cultural identity. 

Quotes from Foster Parents and Children on the Impact 

Foster parents/resource parents and children often share powerful stories about the difference cultural continuity has made in their lives. One foster parent/resource parent of color shared, “Being able to teach the child in my care about our traditions, the food we eat, and the songs we sing has been an incredible experience. It’s so rewarding to see them embrace their heritage and feel proud of who they are.” 

Similarly, children who have experienced culturally matched placements often express gratitude for the opportunity to stay connected to their roots. A young girl in a culturally affirming foster home shared, “It’s like I’m not just a foster kid anymore—I’m part of something bigger. I’m learning about my people and our history, and that makes me feel strong.” 

You don’t need to become a foster parent/resource parent to make a profound impact for children in foster care!

Research-Backed Data on the Outcomes of Culturally Matched Foster Care 

Studies show that children in culturally matched placements have better emotional outcomes. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Social Service Research found that children who were placed with foster parents/resource parents who shared their cultural background had better attachment security, fewer behavioral problems, and stronger family connections than those placed in culturally mismatched homes. 

6. Conclusion 

Cultural continuity is vital to the well-being of children in foster care, particularly for children of color. By ensuring that children in foster care remain connected to their heritage, traditions, and community, we help them build the emotional resilience and stability they need to thrive. Families of color are uniquely positioned to provide this essential support, yet they remain underrepresented in fostering roles. To change this, it is essential to encourage and support more families of color to consider fostering and to provide them with the tools and training necessary to support cultural continuity. 

If you are interested in continuing to learn more about fostering and how you can make a difference in a child’s life, training programs, and opportunities to get involved, please connect with us and say you are exploring fostering. We’ll give you more information on foster care and the process.

Together, we can create a foster care system that values cultural identity and supports the healthy development of every child.