State needs more foster families
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – May is national foster care month and the state is urging people to consider becoming foster parents.
According to the state there are 10,000 children in foster care in Michigan. Diane Goodemote is the director of child welfare at child and family charities. She explained that some families eventually stop fostering or move out of the state, creating a never ending need for more.
Melisa Keck is a foster parent who said she started fostering because a relative was heading into the system and she wanted to keep her family together. She sees the need that is out there.
“There’s definitely not enough families for foster homes at all,” Melisa said.
Keck has 13 children. Two biological, 6 adopted, 1 full guardianship, and 4 foster kids.
“It doesn’t matter how long they’re going to be with you. They need that loving stability for even a short period of time,” Melisa said.
Two of her adopted kids, Isaiah and Eli Keck spoke about what being in Melisa’s care has done for them.
“You could get some people to love you…you could have food…you can have fun stuff. It’s just good,” Eli said.
Isaiah added, “It’s important for people to foster out there. There’s dozens of kids out there who don’t have families or homes. So it would be nice if people go out there and foster someone.”
Reunification is a big goal when fostering a child, so finding families who can help work towards that is a top priority. Goodemote explained that while it’s important to have enouh families to take in kids, it’s also important to find the right fit.
“I would love to have a situation where I have more than enough families to call upon when we have that need, Because not is it just having an open availability, it’s having the right availability,” Goodemote said.
Goodemote said that COVID and the current economy have brought new challenges for recruiting families, but adds this is something that can really change a child’s life.
“Being removed is a trauma in and of itself. So having a stable environment to be in, whether that’s always knowing a meal will be prepared, having their bed and their space, even their own clothes. It really does bring a sense of security for them,” Goodemote said.
And for Melisa, she said if you can foster, heavily consider it.
“You should foster. If you can make a difference in a child’s life,” Melisa continued. “Even for a short period of time, you should foster.”
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