There will be an informational meeting about becoming a foster parent on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Montezuma County Social Services office, at 109 W. Main St., Cortez.
Officials are trying to generate more interest in becoming a foster parent because there is a shortage in the county, said Social Services Director Gina Montoya.
As a result, local kids are being forced to move outside the county and state to be placed in a foster home.
Thirty-four children are in foster care in Montezuma County, and four are placed outside the county, including in Denver, Grand Junction and Texas. The department prefers zero out-of-county placements, if possible, Montoya said.
When kids are are forced out of their home town or county, it creates even more disruption for them, said foster care coordinator Candy Shupe.
Leaving friends and social support networks, starting a new school and being farther away from the parents and family is traumatic, she said. It also affects parents who have to take off work to travel for court-ordered visitation.
There is especially a need for foster parents to care for children ages 12 and up.
To become a foster parent, you must be over 21, pass a criminal background check, have a safe home, be financially stable and be physically able to care for children.
Applicants face an interview process, 27 hours of training and home evaluations. Foster parents must be certified in CPR and first aid.
“You don’t have to be perfect or have the perfect home to become a foster parent,” Shupe said. “You need to have empathy, understand the kids come from hard places, but are good kids who need a safe home.”
Typically, a foster parent will have a child placed in their homes for six to nine months. Foster parents can request a certain age group or gender, and can decline a placement based on behavioral issues of the child.
Foster parents are also provided financial support from Social Services to care for a child and may receive up to $1,000 per month to cover expenses. Social Services also provides transportation and child care services for the foster parent.
