DHR director shares foster care month theme, needs; thanks all involved

May is National Foster Care Month and as director of the Marion County Department of Human Resources, I cannot let the month pass without sharing the importance of foster care.
This year’s theme is “Engaging Youth, Building Supports, Strengthening Opportunities.”
The campaign recognizes the important role people from all aspects of child welfare play in supporting children, youth and families. The theme highlights the need to create a child welfare system that authentically engages and supports young people who are preparing to leave foster care.
You may not realize the challenges faced by the foster care system at the national, state and county level. It is hard to know the exact number of youth in foster care in the U.S. However according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, there are about 369,000 children in foster care across our country.  Just to give you a visual – it is enough to fill 5,100 plus school buses.
In Alabama, there are 5,900 plus children in foster care. Each of these children need a safe home to lay their head at night. Marion County DHR had 45 children in foster care at the beginning of May. Marion County has 13 licensed foster homes.
Who do these numbers represent?  Each one represents children from all ethnic and economic groups, children with backgrounds or experiences that have placed them at risk, siblings  who need to stay together, teens with various degrees of mental, physical or emotional needs and children of all ages who cannot currently live with their birth families due to the risk of neglect or abuse.  
What these children need most is families or individuals interested in providing a safe and loving home.
No matter where you currently reside as you read this, I promise you, foster parents are needed.
In Alabama, you can be a foster parent if you meet these requirements:
• You are at least 19 years of age;
• You can provide a safe, comfortable atmosphere for the child;
• Your home conforms to the Alabama Minimum Standards for Foster Family Homes;
• Your home has enough space for the child and his or her belongings;
• All members of your family are willing to share their home with a child who needs care;
• All members of your family are in good health; and
• All adults in the home are willing to undergo a thorough background check, including criminal history.
What can you do if you can’t become a foster parent? You can  become a backup or respite provider, mentor foster youth, become trauma informed, join/launch a wrap around ministry, serve a foster family and donate or volunteer with organizations that support children in foster care.
The Marion County Department of Human Resources is fortunate to have 13 of the best and most selfless foster parents. They have a heart of hope for children in need.
Marion County DHR is also fortunate to have exceptional staff who deeply cares for this county. It takes each of them working as a team to serve the needs of children and families in our area.
Marion County DHR is also fortunate to have community partners, including churches, businesses, judges, schools and all the other resources that provide support every day for our children and families. It truly takes a village!
If you would like to get involved in any way to help with foster care in Marion County, please contact me at 205-921-6015 to learn more about opportunities for you to serve.
Remember, everyone can do something!