Group Care vs. Foster Care

The move to become a foster community is designed to improve the quality of life for children in care by providing them with a true home and a real family. 

Over the last decade, Southmountain has constructed some of the most family-like group homes in the state.  However, despite all efforts, the homes still have a feeling of group care and lack two of the most important things a child needs - a feeling of stability and a sense of permanence.

This lack of security is the main difference between group care and foster family care and can best be summed up in the difference between employees and foster parents. Because group homes are staffed by employees who work shifts, either days or hours, the children always feel unsettled. Even for children who remain in group care for long periods of time, many never have the feeling that the placement is permanent. The constant change of child care workers switching shifts (as well as high employee turnover rates) leaves the children feeling confused, anxious, and often angry.

Foster homes, on the other hand, are more permanent in nature and offer children that extra measure of security.  In the new foster community at Southmountain, the foster parents will no longer be paid as employees to care for the children and will not work in shifts.  They will live in the homes (which they rent from Southmountain) with their foster children as any other foster family in any neighborhood.

Your support of our children is greatly needed and very much appreciated! Southmountain Children and Family Services is a 501©3 organization whose $3 million dollar budget is met in part by private donations. Your tax-deductible gift helps to ensure that we can successfully meet the needs of the children and families in our care. 

Contributions may be sent to: 

P.O. Box 3387, Morganton, NC 28680  - 828-584-1105