May is recognized as National Foster Care Awareness Month. Throughout this month, we acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare workers and many more for their dedication to the children and youth placed in state custody.
In Hamilton and the surrounding counties, there are more than 900 children in state custody at any given time. These children have been removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect. Chambliss Center for Children contracts with the state to provide loving, stable foster homes for these youth. Finding a permanent home for these children is the ultimate goal, whether with their biological parents - if the parents can complete the steps needed to regain custody - or with family members. However, approximately 20% of these youth end up becoming available for adoption.
In an effort to join the community in not only spreading awareness for this month, but to also share information about the fostering process, Chambliss Center for Children will host a virtual Foster Care Info Night on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:00 p.m. This session is free for all that are interested and does not require attendees to continue in the process of becoming a foster parent for our agency. Instead, attendees can expect to learn more about requirements for fostering and adoption, the training process, and to get all of their questions answered by a professional.
““This month, we celebrate our past, present and future foster families for their dedication to the children that they provide loving and safe homes to. It is our hope that we can continue to spread awareness about this need, encouraging families to learn more about what it takes to foster a child and/or sibling group.””
Because this event will be held virtually, please contact fostercare@chamblisscenter.org or call 423-693-2580 to register and receive the Zoom link. To learn more about Chambliss Center for Children, visit ChamblissCenter.org.
Written by Jasmine Render Padgal
