May is National Foster Care Awareness Month
By Robin Webb
May 15, 2015May 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.
