The Importance of Foster Family Services Emphasized at Üsküdar University

The “Foster Family Day” program, supported by the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, with the scientific consultancy of Üsküdar University, and carried out by the Istanbul Foster Family Association, was organized. At the event, the importance of foster family services for children to grow up in a safe, loving, and healthy environment was emphasized. In this context, it was stated that public, university, and civil society cooperation needs to be strengthened. It was pointed out that foster parenting is not only a social responsibility but also a societal and humanitarian value, and the importance of early intervention, health, and psychosocial support processes in children’s development was explained.

The program, held at the Senate Hall of Üsküdar University Central Campus, was attended by Advisor to the Rector Prof. İsmail Barış, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Ergün Yücel, Head of the Department of Speech and Language Therapy at the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Ahmet Konrot, Social Contribution Coordinator Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, President of the Istanbul Foster Family Association Neşe Gökalp, Deputy Provincial Director of Istanbul Family and Social Services Halis Kuralay, as well as representatives of project stakeholders, academics, students, and members of civil society organizations.

During the program, the critical importance of foster family services for children to grow up in a safe, loving, and healthy family environment was emphasized, and the strategic value of public, university, and civil society cooperation for the widespread adoption of the foster family model was stated.

Prof. İsmail Barış: “The adoption process has both material and spiritual aspects”

Advisor to the Rector Prof. İsmail Barış stated the following in his speech during the program:

“I would like to state that the foster parenting and adoption process has both material and spiritual aspects. Looking at its spiritual dimension, we see that this approach has a very strong resonance through historical and humanitarian examples. In the life of Prophet Muhammad, there are examples of compassion and guardianship for orphaned and homeless children. Recognizing the loneliness of children and offering them an environment of love and trust is a very valuable example that forms the spiritual basis of this approach. Similarly, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is known to have taken care of the education, care, and future of many children. In this respect, foster parenting emerges not only as an individual responsibility but also as a societal and humanitarian value. Therefore, when I see foster families, I see them as people who undertake a great responsibility and are part of a very valuable movement of good deeds. Although this process may seem easy from the outside, it actually requires significant effort and sacrifice. In this sense, a very important step has been taken. I am also very happy and proud to be a part of this process.”

Prof. Ergün Yücel: “We see contributing to children as a responsibility”

Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Ergün Yücel delivered the opening speech of the program. Yücel said: “What is important for me in life, as Aşık Veysel said, is to live this journey through a two-doored inn meaningfully and fully. In this process, children have always been my primary focus. Whether biological or entering our lives through different means, my biggest goal is for children to grow up as beneficial individuals to society. Foster parenting and child-related work are therefore very valuable to me. Throughout my academic life, I have had the opportunity to observe children in many different areas. Especially in children experiencing traumatic processes, we observed that speech and language disorders, adaptation problems, oral and dental health problems, and psychological needs must be addressed together. For this reason, I find this project carried out with the Ministry of Family and Social Services very valuable. With the facilities and academic knowledge of Üsküdar University, we see it as a responsibility to contribute to these children together with our students. This work is not a material return for us; it is entirely a social responsibility and a labor of love. The most appropriate word that can be said in the face of the great effort and sacrifice undertaken by foster families is simply thank you.”

Prof. Ahmet Konrot: “Children touch all our lives in some way”

Head of the Department of Speech and Language Therapy at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Ahmet Konrot spoke about the importance of the project. Konrot said: “Children actually touch all our lives in some way, whether they are our own children, adopted children, or individuals contributing to their educational processes... Children are our future. Therefore, every investment made in the future is very valuable. Even without a biological connection, taking on this responsibility and being part of a not-so-easy process is truly commendable. We believe that education and health should be as accessible as possible and supported by the public. In this context, every regulation made is valuable. Within the scope of the project, we are ready to fulfill every task assigned to us. We will continue to contribute to the processes of informing families, screening and evaluating children, and providing necessary therapies, both during and after the project.” 

Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “A multidisciplinary study is being conducted”

Project Coordinator Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar delivered her speech within the program. Yaşar said: “This is a project supported by the Ministry of Interior's Directorate of Civil Society Relations. Our project is the Child-Friendly Integrated Health Services Model. Our Faculty of Dentistry, especially our Dean Prof. Ergün Yücel and his entire team, supports this important project. Our aim here is to develop a scientific evidence-based, multidisciplinary social innovation model to improve the biopsychosocial well-being of children living with foster families, those under protection, and disadvantaged children. We aim to support children specifically in terms of physical, psychological, social, and language skills. For this reason, in our project, speech and language therapy plays an important role alongside dental health screenings. Our goals include strengthening early intervention, developing children's communication skills with speech and language therapy support, and contributing to their learning processes. In fact, a completely multidisciplinary study is being carried out here. Guidance activities for families and activities aimed at increasing parental awareness also form an important part of our project.”

Neşe Gökalp: “Foster parenting is the meaning of our lives”

President of the Istanbul Foster Family Association Neşe Gökalp provided some information about the association. Gökalp said: “In addition to being a non-governmental organization, we are also foster families. Foster parenting is the meaning of our lives. Our journey of bringing a child into our family and raising them led us to form an association in 2012. Since then, we have been working to ensure that children grow up better and that problems are resolved more effectively. Previously, with the ‘First Contact’ project, we provided psychological support for children's adaptation processes during their initial entry into a family. Subsequently, we completed a long-term project supported by the European Union with our Ministry of Family and Social Services. This project, however, is our first work in the field of health. Because early intervention in health is very important. At the same time, guiding new foster families and sharing our experiences is also very valuable to us.”

Halis Kuralay: “The most important gain is for the child to have a family environment where they feel a sense of belonging”

Deputy Provincial Director of Istanbul Family and Social Services Halis Kuralay delivered his speech within the program. Kuralay said: “Foster parenting is a very valuable process that sometimes develops through a suggestion, and sometimes within the natural flow of life. What is important in this journey is for children to find a safe, loving, and supportive family environment. From the first contact process onwards, a strong bond can form between the child and the family over time. The foster family process, along with adaptation periods, requires effort, patience, and understanding. However, strong and healthy relationships can be established as children adapt to the family environment over time. At the end of these processes, the most important gain is for the child to have a family environment where they feel a sense of belonging.”

İlknur Gerçek: “Foster parenting is a process that requires effort, patience, and love”

İlknur Gerçek, speaking on behalf of all foster mothers at the program, talked about the process. Gerçek said: “Foster parenting is truly a process that requires effort, patience, and love. The children who come to us may have experienced very difficult situations. We first tried to offer them a family environment where they would feel a sense of belonging, rather than immediately being their parents. Over time, we overcame many difficulties together. Seeing his successes today is our greatest happiness. Being a foster parent, touching a child's life, and being able to contribute to their future is very valuable. For these children, meeting the right family is very important. We promised to always be there for him and never considered him separate from our own child.” 

At the event, it was stated that being a foster parent is not only a social responsibility but also the most valuable investment in children's future, and it was emphasized that Üsküdar University's ongoing efforts, in line with its social contribution vision, continue to contribute to our country's social development with the goal of creating sustainable social impact.

The organized program concluded after a group photo session.