Shortage of foster families in Wake County
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Wake County is putting out a plea for more foster families.
Hundreds of children are in need of a forever home, but there are not enough people to accommodate them all.
There are currently 690 children in foster care in Wake County, yet there are only 199 licensed foster parents.
Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
May is National Foster Care Month, and Wake County is looking for families interested in opening up their homes, particularly to teens and siblings, so they can stay in their schools and communities.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BEING A FOSTER PARENT
"Our children need you," said Wake County Foster Care Program manager Kenisha Hinton. "They need someone to help believe in them. This is a very traumatic time in their life where they're being uprooted from everything that they've ever known, and they need someone that can fill in the stead."
George and Edna Marshall have been foster parents for the past decade and have taken in 35 children over the years.
"Do it," said Edna. "There's so many kids out there that need help, they need love, they need someone to care for them."
"You were a teen at one point, and at some point, someone added some value to your life other than your parents," said George.
Foster families must pass a background check and complete 30 hours of required state training. It takes about five to six months to become licensed.
To search for children in need of foster homes click here or view their profiles on YouTube.
