This news item expired on Monday, May 31, 2021 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
At their May 18 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared the month of May as Foster Parent Appreciation Month, a time to raise awareness of the importance of local foster parents and the positive impact on the kids in their care. “The goal of foster parenting is not adopting, it is reunification,” says August, a Buncombe County foster parent. “Communication and a strong relationship between foster and biological parents is extremely important when trying to reunify a family.” Reunification is often the best outcome for the child, and to reach this goal, we need foster parents at home in Buncombe County.
Amy Huntsman, Foster Care Supervisor for Buncombe County Health and Human Services, has seen the positive impact local foster parents have on the kids they foster. “In the last year, more than 50 children were reunited with their biological families or relatives, which supports healthy child development and attachment styles,” Amy explained. “This was possible thanks to the unconditional support of foster families in Buncombe. But there are still more than 100 kids who are housed outside Buncombe County due to the lack of local foster parents. To ensure the best outcomes for these children, their families, and our community, we need to bring these kids back to Buncombe.”
During the Commissioners’ meeting, five local foster families were recognized. “All of our kids have two things in common - they want to know that they are loved, and they want to feel like they belong,” says Amy. “That’s why fostering is so brave - you are opening your heart to these kids, welcoming them with open arms into your families, and showing giving them all the love they need knowing that they may go to live with their biological families. That is what these five foster families have done, and that is what we hope to inspire more people in Buncombe County to do.”
If you are a Buncombe resident and have ever considered becoming a foster parent, our kids need you now more than ever. We know that becoming a parent of any kind is a big decision that requires a lot of support, and Buncombe County Foster Care is here for you every step of the way. We have programs and staff that can hold your hand through the licensing process and help you acclimate once you become a foster parent. Our staff also helps coordinate visitation, medical appointments, register for various benefits, and make sure that you and your foster child are set up for success.
The Foster Parent Training Classes offer a realistic picture of fostering in a supportive and honest way. Once a person is a licensed foster parent, our staff provides coordination of case information, appointments, holiday gifts, school-related needs, and supplies to ensure that the child is thriving and that foster parents are off to a good start. These classes currently happen virtually and are offered in six-week courses, the next beginning July 12, 2021. Sign up for the training here.
For more information, visit www.buncombecounty.org/foster or call (828) 250-5868. We can be reached by email at familiesforkids@buncombecounty.org.
