"My Story" Foster Care Program is an effort to give Ohio's foster children a voice, and a chance to tell their story. The Ohio AAP and the Ohio AAP Foundation developed this program to address the special social and emotional needs of foster care children and families. The Foster Care Program is being piloted in central Ohio currently and then hopes to expand throughout the state.
In 2006, the number of children in foster care in Ohio was more than 17,500; the average age was 9 years old.
Pediatricians have an important role in working with foster children and their families as they make the transition from a child's biological home into a foster home. Not only to pediatricians help in caring for the medical needs of the child, but they are also looked to for help in making the home transition easier for the well-being of the child.
As part of the My Story Program, pediatricians will provide the foster child with a "My Story" Bag, and use it as an opportunity to talk to the parent about special social/emotional concerns that they should take into consideration for the child. At the same time, the physician can talk to the child about he/she is there as a resource to the child in case the child has concerns/problems.
The My Story bags will include:
For more information on the My Story Foster Care Program, or to donate an item to be placed in the My Story Bag, please contact Melissa Arnold or Heather Hall or call, (614) 846-6258.