By Becky Smith Gallops

Sharing the comfort and love of your home is one of the most precious gifts anyone can give. Right now, there is a desperate need for foster families in our area.

Oklahoma has almost 12,000 children in foster care. That number is up from approximately 8,300 in 2007. The problem is that there are only 3,000 foster homes in Oklahoma.

What is Foster Care? It is a safe, loving, temporary home for children who may have been abused, neglected or placed into the system by courts for other reasons. Frequently these children are mislabeled as “problem children,” when in reality they just may be unable to cope with the traumas that they have faced in their young lives.

Who are Foster Parents? They may be couples, grandparents or single adults. Foster parents provide 24-hour care for the child in their home at a time when the child’s biological parents may not be able to. Foster parents must be 21 years of age, with a high school diploma or GED. They must be able to pass all required background checks, have a stable income and have reliable transportation with current auto insurance. They are reimbursed for the cost of daily care for the child.

How Can You Help? In our area, two private, non-profit agencies are currently seeking foster families. The J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter is looking for foster parents from the southwest Oklahoma area for children ages birth to 5. Potential foster families should be able to provide a crib or child’s bed and have a stay-at-home parent. People interested in becoming foster parents for the children’s shelter can attend a meeting on February 2 or March 2 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at “The Event,” located at 1001 S.W. “A” Avenue. For more information, call April at 580.351.4881 or Tanya at 580.357.3965.

Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) has been serving Oklahoma communities since 1995. Their Lawton office is located at 1320 Homestead Drive. They are looking for foster homes for children ages 4 to18. They offer foster parent training classes, therapists who have weekly contact with the children and their foster family, as well as 24/7 access to support and crisis intervention. There is also a monthly foster parent support group with ongoing training. For more information on SAFY, contact Sophia at 580.355.8883.

There is a great need for foster parents in our community, so won’t you consider providing a temporary home for a child who needs your love and support?