WC Wisconsin News

The Eau Claire County Department of Human Services (DHS) is sounding the alarm about a shortage of foster parents across the county.

Despite recruitment efforts, DHS officials said the need has never been greater, pointing to the reality that currently, there are only 90 licensed foster families in the county compared to 98 at the same time last year, according to a WQOW report May 3.

Melissa Christopherson, resource unit manager, stressed that the difference doesn't accurately reflect the need. She told WQOW the agency has enough families for single children under the age of 5 but needs families who are willing to take sibling groups, teenagers, and children who need specialized care.

Department of Human Services officials noted the shortage has continued to be a problem despite the number of children in foster care across the county decreasing by almost 100 over the last four years, WQOW reported. In May 2018, 224 children were in foster care in Eau Claire County.

"It's natural to feel like, 'I can handle a one-year-old, but I'm a little intimidated to deal with a 13-year-old,”' Christopherson told WQOW. “Part of that is, I think there's a general recognition or awareness that children in foster care have experienced trauma, and trauma does cause pain-based behavior so for older children, they're more likely to exhibit some parenting challenges."

One way the agency is encouraging people to become foster parents in hopes of boosting the numbers of families in the program is by having agency employees place signs in their yards that say "Become a Foster Parent" with the county's phone number, Christopherson said.

In honor of Foster Care Month, the DHS positioned pinwheels outside the courthouse representing each of the 125 Eau Claire County children in "out of home" care, Christopherson added.

Department officials said their goal is to recruit and license five new families that can shelter teens and sibling groups and two for children with special needs.

The agency is hosting a foster parent information meeting Tuesday, May 10 via Zoom, WQOW reported. Information meetings are also scheduled for July 12, Sept. 13, and Nov. 8. To register for one of the meetings, contact Christa Dutter at 715-839-6923 or email her at Christa.Dutter@co.eau-claire.wi.us.