There is a critical need for foster homes here in Erie County. There are more than 1,000 children in foster care in Erie County alone, and more than 400,000 nationwide. The children in care range in age from birth to 21 years old. There are simply not enough homes to meet the need.
Loving, safe homes are needed to give our children a chance. Providing foster care and adoption is a rewarding experience for the whole family and it can help break the cycle of abuse and neglect for generations. Children need and deserve to grow up in a safe family setting. Foster care works diligently to reunite children with their biological family while providing them safe, supportive, treatment foster homes. If you are fortunate enough to have resources to share, and you believe in supporting your community then foster care may be right for you.
Within the county, several agencies provide foster care services. G.A. Family Services is a quality agency that provides prospective foster parents with all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether foster care and/or adoption is right for their family. The agency works closely with each family to ensure that the best possible matches are made. Once a child is placed in a foster home the agency remains working closely with the child, the biological family, and the foster family. Supportive services are offered to the foster family, child, and biological family. Supports offered include, but are not limited to regular and frequent casework contact, a 24-hour on call service available for emergencies, regular training opportunities, skill builder services, a nurse on staff, a driver on staff, comfortable visitation rooms, and three convenient office locations. Each child placed in care also receives medical coverage, a clothing allowance, and a daily stipend to assist foster parents in meeting the needs of the children.
November is National Adoption Month and May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month. Julie and Anson are one of G.A.’s several foster families. They became certified foster parents in August of 2014. They felt that caring for a child through foster care and possibly adopting through foster care was the right option for their family. Julie and Anson have had three children placed with them since they were originally certified. Their first placement was a set of infant twin girls that were with them for fourteen months. During that time Julie and Anson were able to successfully work in partnership with the biological family. They are very grateful for the time they had with them in their home.
In March of 2016, a newborn girl, with medical concerns who needed monitoring, was placed with them. In July of 2017, after 16 months in care, Julie and Anson were able to adopt her. That child thrived in their home and a forever family was created. Below is Julie and Anson’s reflection, in their own words, about their foster care and adoption journey.
“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’? Well, it’s absolutely true and nowhere is it more apparent than in foster care. By being/becoming a foster parent, you become part of a village for a child and his or her family. Each story is different; you may be a temporary part of the village or you may become a lifelong member… but no matter how you look at it, foster parents play an important and much needed role in the life of a child… in my own personal journey as a foster parent, my goal was to make a difference in the life of a child, or children in my case… and somewhere along the way, I found instead that they made a difference in my life; each one changed me. As you give of yourself, your time and your love, you may find that your life has been changed in the process.”
The process, as they refer to, can also be considered a journey. A journey that begins with a phone call to G.A. Family services! Our staff is excited to meet with anyone considering becoming a foster parent. We will gladly meet with you to discuss the certification process and answer any questions you may have.
For more information on how to become a foster care parent, www.gafamilyservices.net.
Maggie Dreyer
Director of Foster Care
