Do Now Problem 33.1 page 395

Chapter 33 and Chapter 35

Objective At the conclusion of the lesson students will be able to: Define Foster care VS Adoption Understand government responsibility towards the support of families and individuals

Foster Care and Adoption Neglected or abused children may be removed from the family home, placed in a foster home, or made available for adoption. Sometimes parents simply decide to give up their children for adoption, usually at birth.

Foster Parents People who are state approved temporary guardians of foster children Foster parents are paid for the child care they provide Some foster parents become full legal guardians, parents, by adopting the children they foster

Adoption Adoption is the legal process in which an adult or adults become the legal parents of another person. Adoptions typically occur between adults and children but in some states anyone can legally adopt anyone. Some states have laws banning homosexuals from adoption or fostering children Adoption must be court approved Children of age 12 and up often must consent to the adoption

Fostering VS Adopting Foster: Temporary Not fully legal guardians Child can be taken at any time Adoption: Permanent Fully legal parents Child can only be removed in cases of suspected neglect or abuse

Surrogate Mothers Surrogate mothers are sought out by couples unable to have children. Surrogate mother agrees to be impregnated with either the father’s sperm or both the father’s sperm and the mother’s egg Surrogate mothers sign documents agreeing to the adoption of the child at birth.

Adoption Rights States often seal adoption records so that adopted children cannot seek out their birth parents, as the birth parents are considered to have the legal right to privacy from the adopted child. While some adopted children don’t seek out their birth parents, some spend a great deal of time and money to research the whereabouts of their birth parents.

Economic Benefits Social Security: Government program that you pay into with a percentage of you wages while you are young and able to work, social security provides: Retirement benefits Disability benefits Survivor’s benefits

Supplemental Security Income This program is designed to aid needy aged, blind, and disabled people. Provides monthly benefits at a standard rate Must be age 65 or over, legally blind, or have a major disability that prevents work. Handled by the social security office.

Welfare Provides aid to needy families with dependent children Five year limit on families receiving benefits Immigrants (legal or not) cannot receive benefits

Food Stamps Available to people below certain income levels Provides vouchers with which to purchase food at accepting stores Food stamps have gone electronic with the “EBT” card which works like a debit card at stores but only on approved items

Tax Credits Income tax credits For persons making below a certain level Lowers the amount of taxes they owe Designed to offset increases in living expenses and encourages people to work rather than not work and receive welfar Tax credits for families with children Allows parents to claim children as dependents Parents can claim expenses like child care.

Housing Assistance Government will aid persons below a certain income level by: Offering Government operated housing projects Direct payment of portions of rent Low interest loans Insurance to help by homes.

Mortgage Interest Deductions Intended to encourage home ownership 40% of this goes to households earning over $100,000 17% goes to the tope one percent of households (those earning over $200,000)

Health Benefits Medicare: Designed for the elderly pays major Hospital Bills as well as some follow up treatment Pays for physician visits and treatments Doesn’t pay for most medications though. Medicaid: Provides medical care for the poor and disabled Covers most hospital and out-patient care Covers prescription drugs

Education The government is required to provide free public education at the elementary and secondary level, to all children Children may choose to leave school at age 16, often needing parent consent. Federal law requires schools to provide educational services to students with disabilities.

Colleges and Universities Many colleges are state run These colleges are typically cheaper Often offer in-state tuition Federal programs exists to assist students with paying for college Pell Grant Federal work study program Stafford loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) PLUS loans (parent loans) Many Scholarship programs exist as well

Assessment Students will be placed in groups of two, each group will be given an adoption scenario. One group member must argue for the adoption, the other must argue against the adoption, the class will act as the court deciding to approve or not approve the adoption.

Works Cited O'Brien, Edward L., J.D. "Negligence." Street Law: A Course in Practical Law. By Lee P. Arbetman, M.Ed., J.D. 6th ed. Lincolnwood: National Textbook, Print.