INDIANAPOLIS -- The drug epidemic in Indiana has caused a dramatic increase in the number of children in foster care over the last couple of years and agencies across the state are now scrambling to find more foster parents.
More than 12,000 children were in foster care in 2013, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. That number jumped to nearly 17,000 in 2016 - and more than half of those children are in the system because of drugs.
According to the Department of Child Services, 52 percent of children placed in foster care in 2016 were taken away from their parents because of drug and alcohol abuse. That’s up from 32 percent in 2015.
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Agencies are now scrambling to find more parents - like Antonio Porter - to foster those children.
Porter is currently raising three foster children. He was also in foster care as a child, so he knows what those children need in a home.
“What they need most is love, a caring heart,” said Porter. “Showing you are gonna be there for them no matter what the situation is.”
Brenda Chapin, Vice President of Program Administration at The Villages, said many qualified people never look into becoming foster parents because they’re unsure that they would be approved.
“We can license single parent homes, married or unmarried couples – [They are] all allowed to be foster parents,” said Chapin.
The Villages is Indiana’s largest not-for-profit child and family services agency. They will be hosting several sessions over the next few months to meet individuals or couples who are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent.
The next session will be held on Monday, March 13.
Foster parent candidates must complete state licensing requirements that include:
- 20 hours of pre-service training
- Physical exam
- Child abuse and sex abuse registry checks
- Criminal background checks
- Positive references
- Stable income (able to meet own family’s needs)
- Home visits and environmental checks
- First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions Certifications
RESOURCES:
The Villages: (317) 775-6500 or 1-800-874-6880
