Foster children need loving homes

* Local man raises concern about foster families, and the need for foster parents.

Imagine that you are a child 4, 6, 8, or 10 years old or older. Imagine that you are picked up by strangers and taken to live with a family that you do not know. Imagine that you must change schools, and leave behind your friends and that you don't even live in your hometown any more.

If you happen to be a child in a home where your parents are temporarily unable to care for you, this could be your fate. Under Missouri Law, children of parents who are unable to care for them, because of neglect, abuse, or temporary circumstances, may be determined to need to come into the care and custody of the Children's Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services.

When an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect determines that children cannot safely remain in their home, the Juvenile Court may order that the children be placed in the care and custody of the Children's Division. When that happens the Children's Division looks for a relative. If none are available then a foster family will be sought who can take care of the child temporarily, until such time as the parents are again able to care for the child.

In looking for a foster family the Children's Division attempts to find a licensed home, preferably close to where the child already lives. They try to find a home where the child can continue with their same school, continue to have contact with their friends, and most importantly, have regular visits with their family.

Statewide there are more than 9,000 children in the care and custody of the Children's Division. For each of these children, the Children's Division attempts to find a foster family which can meet the needs of the foster child. Many times there is not a foster family available in the community who is able to meet all of the needs of the child. In those cases the Children's Division will look outside their immediate geographic area to find an appropriate foster family. Sometimes this means that the child will be placed many miles from home. In these situations, the child experiences some or all of the trauma cited in the opening of this story.

It is possible to change this story, so that children do not experience all of this trauma.

If every community were able to find enough foster families to provide foster care, then it would be possible to place children close to family, close to home, close to friends, and they could remain in their current school.

To learn how to help and to look into becoming a foster parent, call (800) 554-2222 call the local Children's Division Office.