By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Ever thought about fostering children? Clay County currently has 24 children living in the foster system. While most live in homes in Clay or Cherokee County, some have been placed as far as six hours away because of the need for foster families. Other North Carolina counties are in similar situations.
”Clay County currently has five homes licensed by the Department of Social Services and there also a couple of therapeutic homes licensed through private agencies,” Clay County Department of Social Services foster coordinator Nicole Byrne explained. “We also have the Truett Baptist Children’s home, which is a small group home in the county, as well as Turner Cottage that will be a licensed Foster home through Baptist Children’s home.”
Byrne continued, “There is an ongoing crisis where children are having to sleep in offices. We have been fortunate here in Clay County that our nights in the office have been few and far between but it has happened.” She said the state averages 14 youth per night who have to sleep in a DSS office somewhere.
“The need is greater now than it has ever been,” Clay County Department of Social Services Director Todd Goins said, “I have seen statistics that the number of foster homes across the state decreased by 30 percent since the start of COVID in 2020. I was on a statewide call last month where it was reported that in 2023 there were more than 5,000 nights statewide of children and youth in foster care having to spend the night at a DSS office due to no available placements.”
A new campaign to increase awareness about the need for foster families says, “Adventure Awaits.” The foster family recruitment messages show how raising children can truly be an adventure.
Clay County DSS announced the campaign with a press release. “The ‘Adventure Awaits’" foster parent recruitment campaign is an opportunity for individuals and families in our community to make a profound impact on children's lives by becoming foster parents. This exciting campaign, a part of Vaya Health’s Pathways to Permanency project, seeks to inspire compassionate individuals and families to open their hearts and homes to children who need safe, loving environments.”
"Adventure Awaits is a call to action, inviting compassionate individuals to open their hearts and homes to children in need,” the press release says. “By becoming a foster parent, you can change a child's life, experience personal growth and be part of a supportive community.
Byrne said most children in foster care have reunification case plans, which means the goal is to reunify them with their own family. “We do have a few who are available for adoption, but already have resources, “she said. “A couple more will possibly be coming available for adoption soon.”
If someone is not able to commit to being full time foster parents, there are many ways to help. “Any support at all for our foster parents is useful,” Byrne explained. “Respite/emergency placements, babysitters, etc. are all valuable. Being a foster parent is a rewarding but tough job so any support the community can give is always appreciated.”
Goins added, “We have a need for homes that can care for large sibling groups to allow for the siblings to stay together in the same home in their own community. We have such a caring, generous community and we want to be able to keep our Clay County kids in their home community and close to their connections and supports.”
Byrnes ended, “Join us in creating a brighter future for our community's children.”
To learn more about “Adventure Awaits” and how you can make a difference, contact Nicole Byrne, (828) 389-6301. Follow the campaign on Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram at Adventure Awaits NC. Or Twitter/x: @AdvAwaitsNC.