Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina is offering informational sessions every Tuesday at the various foster care satellite offices across the region in order to address a foster parent shortage.
“There is a growing need for licensed foster parents to care for children and youth in distress,” said BGHNC President/CEO Ricky Creech. “At Boys and Girls Homes, we want to provide the necessary training and support so that foster parents can provide an environment of care that promotes health, healing, and hope.”
The sessions rotate through the Kinston, Lake Waccamaw, and Fayetteville offices. The June 7 session will be at the Fayetteville Office in the Partnership for Children Building, 351 Wagoner Drive, Fayetteville. On June 14 the session will be at the Community Based Services Main Office, 322 Rube McCray Circle, Lake Waccamaw before the June 21 session at the Kinston Office located at 668 Stratford Blvd., Kinston.
Additional dates, times, and locations will be announced via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bghnc.cbs.
“At each session we talk about the licensing process and what is required to be a foster parent,” said Foster Home Licensing Social Work Supervisor Carrie Decker. “We know how great the need is to have qualified foster parents available and we hope that these information sessions will help those interested feel better prepared to make the commitment to helping children and youth.”
Of particular importance is finding foster parents willing to take in older teenagers.
“There is a critical need to find placements for older teenagers,” said Director of Foster Care Valarie Price. “With this in mind, we have put a special emphasis on providing additional support for those willing to consider helping these youth.”
Foster parents must be 21 years old or older, be able to pass a local and federal background check, have adequate sleeping space for a foster youth, and attend 40 hours of pre-service training.
To learn more about the meetings or to get more information on becoming a foster parent, call 1-877-211-5322.
About Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc., has been helping children since 1954. Since then, more than 7,500 children have benefitted from the services of the not-for-profit, 501(c)3 agency. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family dysfunction. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, Success Coach services to prevent children from coming into foster care, and free children’s therapy, as well as residential care on the campus at Lake Waccamaw. The campus features a SACS-accredited school with a middle and high school curriculum, vocational education, recreation facilities, farm, chapel and cottage life. As many as 320 children are cared for through the residential, community-based services, and school program provided by BGHNC at any given time. BGHNC operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. BGHNC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
