Program has promise

Last week, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office launched a pilot program aimed at helping counties find relatives of children in the care of their local Department of Job and Family Services.

Stark is among the eight counties in the trial group. No surprise, considering the effects of opioid and other drug abuse in the county, where more than 100 people died by overdose in 2016.

Children from homes where parents or guardians are abusing drugs have driven up the number in foster care here by nearly 10 percent in the past year.

... That’s where officials hope the “family finder” pilot initiative can step in. The money Stark receives will train staff in the “30 Days to Family” program, whose primary goal is keeping foster children connected with their relatives — and potentially placed with a relative.

Such outcomes have shown to lessen trauma on the child who typically has been living in a stress-filled environment.

... Certainly the foster care system always can use more devoted adults willing to open their homes to children in need. The process requires some time, but nearly every foster parent will tell you the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

Another way to help: Continue the fight against opioids . ...

Read the full editorial from the Canton Repository at bit. ly/2DglYHa