FOSTER PARENT SHORTAGE CAN BE SOLVED BY CARING

It takes a special kind of person to be a good parent; it takes a special kind of parent to become a foster parent.

More foster parents are needed in Cape Girardeau County. Ten to 20 more foster homes are needed in the county to meet the needs of current foster children. Only 21 of the county's foster children live inside the county, with another 25 to 30 children placed in surrounding counties. Especially acute is the shortage of black foster families.

The deficiency seems a perennial one.

Perhaps that's because foster parents face special challenges because their "children" will most likely stay with them only limited periods of time. Many of these children come from households wrought with abuse and neglect. Many placements are done on an emergency basis, so oftentimes the children are confused and hurt. Foster parents can provide a stable, nurturing influence in a time of need.

It takes a special person to open their hearts to a stranger. But the challenge of foster parenting is to learn to let go when it's time for the child to return to his or her home. Sometimes, that's not so easy.

But most foster parents say they gain more from the experience than they give in terms of personal satisfaction. These foster parents can have a lasting impact on children who may have known little love or attention.

Ideally, family service officials would like to have 100 foster homes in the county. In that way, children could be "matched" to their foster homes. Some families are better equipped to handle babies, while others prefer teenagers. The numbers could provide some real flexibility. Currently, there are only 19 active foster homes in the county.

Foster parenting is certainly not a get-rich-quick scheme. There is limited compensation for participants; the state pays from $209 to $281 per month for each foster child depending on the age. There is also an annual $100 clothing allowance.

The Division of Family Services places children from newborn to teenagers. An estimated 60 percent of the children in the county are over eight years of age.

If the idea of becoming foster parents sounds appealing, contact the Division of Family Services. They can help parents decide if foster parenting would work in their households.

Foster parenting is not for everyone. It takes a measure of time and commitment. But the job carries some real rewards: the joy that comes from helping children in need of love and a little kindness.

This foster parent shortage can be solved by caring people willing to open their hearts and their homes to these special youngsters.