Proctor Parenting

I am a proctor parent. Proctor parenting is similar to foster parenting, but proctor parents take care of kids in JJS (Juvenile Justice Service) custody, rather than kids who have been removed from their homes by DCFS (Department of Child and Family Services) Proctor parenting usually involves drug testing, which means the kids have struggled with addiction. The kids have typically been in several different placements, which means they have trust issues. Usually they have been abused in some way. Each time a kid is placed in my home I have a chance to read their file. At first, I believed what I read. Eventually, though, I understood that what they chose to disclose in that file doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what has happened to these kids. In a year and a half of doing this, I've had drug dealers, gang members, abused and neglected teenagers live in my home with me and my little kids (8 and 6). I've watched amazing changes take place. I've also seen the pattern repeat itself and kids who showed such promise return to old habits rather than deal with success. Out of seven kids, four have run away. Proctor Parenting seems like an absolutely insane thing to do. I recognize that I put my children and myself at risk by taking in these kids. Really, though, when it all comes down to it, I have gained respect for these kids. I have learned that there is no way I can judge them. I never had abusive drug addicted parents or lived in a neighborhood where people came into my house and threatened my family. All that I know for sure is, if my child were in a similar situation, I would hope someone would take my child in and love them and try to help them grow to be a productive and happy adult. So I continue to try.