COVID puts a strain on Utah’s foster care system, there is an urgent need for foster families. Foster Love – Together We Rise has been advocating for people/families to help fill this urgent need nationwide. For months we have shared stories about other states and the pending influx of children being placed into care as schools reopen and neglect is seen again.
As of today, Utah has about 2,400 children in foster care and 1,100 licensed foster families.
Utah Needs Foster Families
In Utah, there is a general need for foster parents and an even greater need for those trained to care for children with significant behavioral or mental health needs.
Since the lockdown in March, there has been a decline in reported child neglect and abuse. There are many factors contributing to the decline including the lack of visibility of children to mandated reporters.
Foster agencies are dependent upon individuals and families to volunteer to become certified and licensed foster families. One of the additional problems in gaining new foster families come from the ongoing training needed to support foster youth.
Becoming a Foster Family in Utah
Children and Adult Services in South Salt Lake offer ongoing training and support to several dozen foster parents.
“Every child that comes in requires different needs and we want to make sure we can find the best fitting family,” Rey Hansen said, Open Arms coordinator.
For those interested in learning more about how to help fill this need. Please contact Utah Foster Care here.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, it is difficult to predict how the influx of children and foster families needed in Utah. For those in other states, please know that this is the case across the country. Children need more soft, safe places to land as our communities open up.
For those wanting to help in other ways, check out how to help with Foster Love – Together We Rise here.
