May is National Foster Care Awareness Month

By Robin Webb

May 15, 2015

http://www.athensmessenger.com/news_advisories/may-is-national-foster-care-awareness-month/article_3795931f-4f38-5472-98c6-6874e2487e95.html

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month

 ATHENS, Ohio – May is National Foster Care Awareness 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.

 Currently with 87 children in their care, Athens County Children Services has a need for licensed foster homes in every school district in Athens County. Specifically, there is a need for homes that can take sibling groups and children of all ages. “We strive to keep sibling groups together  if possible 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. 

“ACCS saw an increase in the total number of children coming into our foster care in 2014, up 40% from the previous year, and we see those trends continuing in 2015,” said Angie Blakemen, Foster Care Placement Supervisor at ACCS. “So while we are fortunate to have 38 licensed foster homes currently in Athens County, most of them are full due to the increase of children coming into our care,” Blakeman added.

ACCS foster families step in to provide stability, security, and support when a child’s own parents are unable to do so. Foster parents provide a temporary home until the child can be safely reunited with their family. However, foster parents make a lasting difference in the lifetime of every child who comes into their home.

 In addition to recruitment efforts, ACCS will also be taking time this month to recognize and honor current foster care providers. “The Athens community is blessed with an exceptional foster care program. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with our foster parents,” Blakemen continued. “It is important that our foster care providers know how valuable their service is, and that we recognize the incredible difference they make in the lives of our children.” ACCS will honor their foster parents at an awards banquet May 15th in Athens.

Related News

Spring Foster Care and Adoption Information Meeting - February 12, 2014
May is National Foster Care Month - April 28, 2014
ATHENS CHILDREN SERVICES RECRUITER RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION - July 11, 2014
Athens County Proclaims November Adoption Month - October 28, 2016
Athens County Children Services hosts Family Mentor Programs - September 13, 2017
Q&A with Volunteer Extraordinaire Terrence Smith - May 12, 2014
LACE UP FOR KIDS PROVIDING NEW SHOES FOR THE CHILDREN OF ATHENS COUNTY - July 7, 2015
School Outreach Caseworker Goes Above and Beyond to Help Local Family - July 30, 2015
Urgent Need for Licensed Foster Homes in Athens County - February 10, 2016
May is Foster Care Month and Need for Additional Foster Homes Continues - May 23, 2016
Children Services levy headed to fall ballot - March 19, 2019
This month, please honor social workers for their contributions - March 17, 2019
CHILDREN SERVICES ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ANNUAL SANTA TREE PROJECT - September 23, 2020


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