Many, many Island children have benefited from both Alec Blue and his wife Donna enjoying a solid, healthy upbringing.
Since 1993, the Hopefield couple, both 48, has provided a loving foster home to more than 60 children. Over that time the Blues have maintained a consistent, caring approach to foster children that have ranged in age from two days to 12 years.
“That is what they’re craving is stability and routine and that is what we provide,’’ said Alec, who describes his own upbringing in the Hopefield homestead, where he still lives today, as laid back, stable, relaxed and routine.
Donna (nee Hopkins) Blue has also been able to draw on a healthy childhood for a successful formula in raising three biological children (two have flown the nest), one adopted girl who is eight, and fostering 60-plus children, including the baby currently under the Blues’ care.
“I have a brother and five sisters and we’re all married and we have good, solid marriages and we have kids,’’ said Donna.
Donna and her husband, she says, work hard to get the foster children accustomed to following the rules of the house the same way as does 15-year-old Emily, the Blues’ lone biological child still living at home.
The foster children are expected, for instance, to clean off their dishes and put them in the dish washer and they are not to eat in their room.
“They need to learn a routine,’’ explained Donna.
A foster child has stayed with the Blues for as little as a couple days and as long as two-and-a-half years.
The children come from situations of abuse and/or neglect, but usually neglect.
“There are so many different stories,’’ said Donna.
Naturally, some of the children prove to be a greater challenge than others for the Blues. One young girl caused $5,000 damage by regularly urinating on the carpet. A boy started fires in a building outside the house.
“He was putting everybody at risk,’’ noted Donna.
People ask the Blues why they choose to take on such a handful time and again. The answer is Donna and Alec have the will, the talent and the heart for the job.
“You’ve got to want to look out for the kids,’’ said Alec. “It’s not a volunteer job but if you don’t care for the kids, you can’t do it.’’
Foster parents are compensated for their valuable role in providing day-to-day care for children who are in the custody and/or guardianship of the provincial director of child protection, temporarily or permanently, voluntarily or through court order.
Barry Chandler, Community Services, Seniors and Labour Department liaison with the P.E.I. Federation of Foster Families, says Prince Edward Island is among the top two or three provinces in the country for the level of compensation it offers foster families.
“Certainly people should not be out of pocket for when they foster,’’ said Chandler.
Potential foster parents that are merely focusing on compensation, he agrees, won’t fulfill the roll well. Compassion and commitment, on the other hand, are key components.
“What we need in foster care is families who can love a kid and take care of them and do all the day to day things that are necessary and then be able to give them up,’’ said Chandler. “It takes a very strong character to be able to do that.’’
There are currently 85 active foster homes in Prince Edward Island. More would be desirable.
“We still need a number of homes,’’ said Chandler.
“Nobody has a one kind of silver bullet to solve this problem. So we continue to do broad recruitment, we continue to support foster families as much as we can.’’
The core of foster families is from the baby boomer era, he adds. Many are over 50. Filling in behind them will be a challenge.
“We would like to see younger foster parents,’’ he said.
Over the course of a year, between 250 and 300 youth are typically in care for periods that can range from one day to the entire year. At any given time, about 100 may be in care.
The preference, says Chandler, is for children to remain in their biological home where possible. The next desirable option is a foster home followed by residential care (group home) for children with special needs or behavioural issues that need to be addressed.
He said foster care providers are recruited, screened and assessed, trained, supported and supervised to ensure the safety and well being of the child.
Chandler says Prince Edward Island is fortunate to have foster families that provide many years of great care.
“We have foster families that typically stick around for a long time and we may be more fortunate than other provinces in that area,’’ said Chandler.
“But again, if somebody came on board for five years and provided a solid service, it’s not something that diminishes that service at all.’’
For Alec and Donna Blue, the desire to continue providing a foster home to Island children has not waned in the least even after 17 years of care that has included more than a misadventure or two along the way.
“We still have a lot to give,’’ said Donna.
“You know,’’ she added, “there’s such a need out there and we really do need more foster homes. We need people.’’
FACT BOX:
To inquire about becoming a foster parent, call the following Child and Family Services contact in your area:
Souris: Kim MacLeod at 902-687-7057 or 902-687-7063;
Montague: Jayelee Grady at 902-838-0714 or 902-838-0703;
Charlottetown: Carol McInnis at 902-368-5364 or 902-368-5330;
Summerside: Alice Maund at 902-888-8130 or 902-888-8100;
O’Leary: Matt Bourque at 902-859-8812 or 902-859-8811.
