FILLING A NEED

Outreach meetings aim to recruit foster parents in Miller, Hempstead counties

The Division of Child and Family Services is having two outreach meetings to provide information to potential foster parents.

The first meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Hempstead Hall, 2500 S. Main St., Hope, Ark. The second will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Miller County Department of Human Services, 3809 Airport Plaza, Texarkana, Ark.

“We’re looking for people who have thought about fostering and want more information or people who want to foster but don’t know how to get started,” said Janet Lewis-Beasley, a community engagement specialist for the Division of Children and Family Services. “We’ll give our information on how to start the process, how to volunteer and how to be a community partner.”

The need for foster parents is great. There are 110 children in foster care in Miller County but only eight foster homes. In Hempstead County, there are 20 children foster care but only four homes.

“In the past we’ve had problems placing youths 10 and older. Often they were put in residential facilities, shelters or out-ofcounty … but now it’s not only kids 10 and older. We’re actually seeing that with kids 6 and older,” Lewis-Beasley said.

Basic requirements for people who’d like to become foster parents include being 21 or older, passing a background check and meeting the minimum licensing standards.

“It doesn’t cost anything to become a foster parent and assistance is available for those who do,” Lewis-Beasley said. “Once the ball is rolling, from inquiry to actual opening of the home takes about three months.”

For more information, call Lewis-Beasley at 870-773-0563, ext. 10378.