May is National Foster Care Month
By Robin Webb
April 28, 2014ATHENS, OH - April 28, 2014 – May is National Foster Care Month, and as Athens County Children Services prepares to recognize foster parents in Athens County for their service, the agency is also focusing on identifying new homes for foster care placements.
Athens County Children Services has an increased need for licensed foster homes in both the Trimble and Nelsonville York school districts. “We strive to keep children in their school districts when they are being placed into temporary foster care, as that provides stability and continuity in the child’s life as they adapt to a new foster home”, said Tanja Kuhre, Foster Parent Recruiter and Trainer for Athens County Children Services. “We hope to add 6 new licensed homes this year for foster care placement in those school districts”, Kuhre added.
Athens County foster families not only provide children with temporary homes, safety and nurturing, but they also help birth families by ensuring children can be safely reunited with them. When reunification is not possible, many foster families choose to adopt the children who have been placed in their homes. This offers permanency and stability that the children may not otherwise know.
In addition to recruitment efforts, ACCS will also be taking time this month to recognize and honor current foster care providers. “It takes a special person to open their home and provide a nurturing, safe and loving environment for children to grow in while their parents work towards reunification”, said Angie Blakemen, Foster Care Placement Supervisor at ACCS. “While we know they do not do this important work for the recognition, it is important that our foster parents know how valued their service is”, Blakemen added. ACCS will honor their foster parents at an awards banquet May 9th in Athens.
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Athens County Children Services is focused on its mission of protecting children, strengthening families, and securing futures. For more information, please visit our website at .
