The need for foster parents is large and a meeting coming up can help people in Vilas county find out more information about becoming foster parents. The need is heightened by the recent opioid crisis.
Kelly Pyne works with Vilas County Social Service and works with foster care recruitment and licensing. She says there is a need...
"...we have a definite need due to the recent opioid epidemic. What the event is for is to invite people in from the community that may be interested in foster care. We'll provide them with information. We'll have a speaker that is a current foster parent that can answer questions that prospective foster parents may have. We'll also have a speaker that is a former foster child...."
Pyne says there are different types of foster placements...
"....It is a rewarding experience knowing you've helped a child from a family in need while the parents are getting back on their feet. It may be a long term placement if the parents are having longer struggles than anticpated. It may be a permanent placement. It can be challenging. There may be some special needs within that family that would be addressed. We'll be there to support the foster parents and help them find agencies that could help with the special needs of that child...."
Vilas County has 5 licensed foster homes that are able to accommodate 15 children and they have 72 children in out of home care. Pyne say 80 percent of children are placed in foster homes outside of Vilas County.
The free event is Tuesday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Northwoods Children's Museum in Eagle River. For more information, contact Kelly Pyne at Vilas County Social Services. kegrad@vilascountywi.gov 715-479-3721
