WHY FOSTER?

Because Every Child Deserves A Family

We don’t have to look far to see that life is not what it should be for many of the world’s children. Right here, in our own communities, there are hundreds of children who need us to advocate on their behalf. The team at PATH is responding to this great need, placing children in need with loving families.

PATH is a specialized treatment foster care program that currently serves 221 children in our state. Partnering with families to get kids the treatment they need, as Nancy McKenzie, ND executive director said, “PATH bridges the worlds of child welfare and behavioral health.” Every child in the PATH foster care program must have a mental health diagnosis to qualify for placement. The children struggle with mental health difficulties that often center around depression, anxiety, attention deficit, relationship challenges, behavioral struggles, autism, etc. PATH staff infuses their knowledge of how trauma impacts the childhood brain, giving attention to the unique traumatic events that each child has suffered. As Heather Simonich, Eastern ND operations director, said, “We look at each child through trauma lenses…we don’t just see their behavior, but we also see the trauma that is causing this behavior.”

PATH values making connections for each child, connecting his past – culture, ethnicity, family – to his future –the soccer team, church youth group, school, etc. PATH works to ensure that in each child’s life, all the systems connect for the well-being of the child. As Simonich said, “Connections make kids feel safe, and we need kids to feel safe.”

Denise Masset from Casselton has had a heart for kids for as long as she can remember, and has made a deep impact in the lives of hundreds of children that have come through her home. Many years ago, as a single mom to two young children, she found herself wanting to serve kids. “I didn’t think I could be a foster parent…I didn’t think they’d let me since I was a single mom. There are so many myths out there. I want to break through the myths. The truth is that almost anyone can be a foster parent.” Working with Cass County, she learned that she could be a foster parent, and she opened up her house. She’s partnered with PATH for nine years now, appreciating the close connection that PATH builds between the case worker and the foster family and their therapeutic care for children. Now married with nine children, a mix of biological and adopted, Masset intends to continue fostering “As long as I’m able to do it. Kids are sponges, and so resilient. I love to see the progress.”