County in need of more foster homes

FINDLAY — An upcoming event, "Open Hearts, Open Homes," will provide resources and information for anyone considering becoming a foster parent, along with current foster families. Local advocates and people with lived experience will be present. Attendees will hear from a foster family, a former foster child and Hancock County Probate & Juvenile Court Judge Kristen Johnson. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. April 25 at Hilton Garden Inn. It is being organized by Fostering Hancock County, comprised of representatives from Hancock County Job & Family Services, YWCA, Northwest Treatment Foster Care Program and United Way of Hancock County. Job & Family Services Director Randall Galbraith said that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of licensed foster homes in Hancock County and statewide plummeted. Hancock County JFS, one of multiple agencies that can license homes, had 16 licensed foster homes in the county when Galbraith became director in 2019. During the pandemic, that number decreased to just two. Galbraith said they have been working to increase it since then. He hired a foster parent recruiter coordinator who has lived experience and "knows how to talk foster parents' language," and today there are 11 county-licensed homes. But, Galbraith said, they are still in need of more. The county currently has 113 children in its custody. A few are in group homes or placed with relatives, but the majority are in family foster homes. Sometimes children are sent to homes outside of Hancock County, which means they are leaving their school and their friends, creating additional disruption in their life, Galbraith said. "If we have the foster families here in Hancock County, it's a much smoother transition," he said. Galbraith said a variety of things might motivate someone to become a foster parent. Some families are looking to adopt a child. Some are driven by their faith or a calling to help others. He recalled one couple that would only take infants, and dedicated themselves to providing care and a stable environment during a period where children's brains are developing rapidly. They knew that infants in these difficult situations would need that, "and they fostered hundreds of kids," he said. He said once a family has fostered one child, they generally are interested in fostering another, as it is rewarding for them. Galbraith said people should be sure they are in a financially stable position before committing to fostering. Foster parents receive $45 per day in county-licensed homes, and children generally have health insurance through Medicaid, but household costs like food and transportation can add up quickly, he said. "And these kids have all been through traumatic experiences, some more than others," he said. So foster parents may encounter behaviors they have never seen before. Galbraith said support is available, including a foster and kinship care support group in Hancock County for foster parents to seek advice from others. "But it's a tremendous undertaking, to take somebody else's child into your house, and this is now your child," he said. Another obstacle that may keep some people from fostering? "You're going to get attached," Galbraith said. More often than not, children are eventually returned to their biological family, he said. Galbraith said children can end up in foster care due to a variety of situations, and some of them are related to issues the family can address. For example, if a house is dirty and its condition has gotten out of control, JFS might remove the children from the home and establish a case plan to remedy the children's living conditions. Often the parent may have an underlying mental health issue, and treatment along with getting the house cleaned up may address the problem, Galbraith said. Galbraith encourages current foster parents, as well as anyone interested in considering fostering, to come to the event. This event is specifically designed to highlight common fears expressed by potential foster parents and the realities behind each. The evening's presenters — both children and adults — have lived experience in the foster system and will be available afterward to answer questions. "It is a daunting task. Foster families are asked to open up their lives at a moment's notice and take on the responsibility of caring for a child. While there are many potential setbacks and pitfalls, I have yet to speak to a foster family that did not ultimately find great satisfaction in the experience," Galbraith said. "This event exists to allow folks the opportunity to hear about the lived experiences of both foster parents and former foster youth, as well as ask any questions they may have about fostering," he said. He said the traits he sees in successful foster parents are patience and understanding. "If you are called to help kids and you are in a stable place in your life to do that, this is a great way to do it," he said. "The need is out there." Those who do choose to take this path will, he said, likely find it "more rewarding than you'll ever know." Attendance for current foster families and those who are interested in learning more about foster care is complimentary, provided through community sponsorships. Sponsorships are available for an individual seat ($35) or a table of six ($210). When choosing to support the event, individuals can select whether they would like to attend the event themselves, or to simply purchase a seat or table for others. More information and signup links for sponsors and attendees can be found at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/open-hearts-open-home.