Learn to help children in need

Posted

In our county we have an ongoing hidden crisis. Just last week a child sibling group had to be removed from their parents due to neglect and/or abuse and placed in the foster system. These children became a “community” responsibility. THere were no available local foster homes to take all three. Placement necessitated splitting up the siblings in two locations hours away from each other.

This scenario is not unique. In our county we have about 25 children in dependency through Superior Court. Over half are placed with relatives. The lucky children that have relatives willing to welcome them in their homes that are almost always full.

You get the picture - too many local children are having to go away from our county. Away from familiar school, cay care, family, friends, therapists and medical care into the unknown. Visitation with parents while in care is made dreadfully difficult with long car rides for our vulnerable youth.

We can do better than this. You can help. If you have considered foster care or shorter term respite care the first great step is to take Caregiver Core Training. You can always take this online in order to become licensed, or much better is to take the class in person. Once a year we have a local class. Orientation starts August 1, classes are August 3, 4, 17 and 18. Training in dealing with the trauma of abuse and neglect is necessary for all foster and relative families.

Please contact Linda Cortani at 360-640-0869 or at linda-cortani@olivecrest.org to begin being part of the solution.

Elsa Golts
Chair of Foster Supports of Jefferson County