Letter: Thank a Foster Parent
To the Editor:
May is National Foster Care Month. Please take the time to thank a Foster Parent that you may know, as these individuals have taken on the challenge of caring for children not their own in order to provide love, consistency and a sense of normalcy to children in need. They have opened their home and hearts to show children that they are wanted and loved, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding them and their daily lives.
Each year over 8000 children are placed in Foster Care in the State of Wisconsin. Currently, Portage County has 55 licensed foster homes caring for approximately 70 children. Additionally, there are 20 relative/kinship homes caring for 29 children. There are also other children placed outside of the County in treatment homes, group homes and residential facilities.
Foster Parents show a commitment to children; whether it is through regular training completion, licensing home visits, or professional staff involvement. They work with Social Workers, therapists and school personnel regularly to meet the children’s needs. They have regular contact with the children’s birth parents for visitation, medical appointments and other aspects of parenting. Their involvement in the community to support youth in Portage County is commendable and deserves a thank you every day!
Please take this opportunity with me, as the Foster Care Coordinator in Portage County, to thank all of the Foster Parents for their care of youth in this county. Foster parents are a valuable resource for our county and we could not do it without them!
Thank You!
Danita Docka, CSW Foster Care Coordinator,
Portage County Health and Human Services