Awareness Campaign Launched to Recruit Foster Parents; Ads Featured on Ride On Buses Throughout Foster Care Month

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Ride On buses featuring eye-catching ads are part of a campaign to recruit foster parents for Montgomery County children.  May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month and staff from the County’s Child Welfare Services, part of the Department of Health and Human Services have developed flyers in English and Spanish, which will be distributed to libraries, recreation centers, regional service centers and shared electronically with community groups in an effort to recruit additional foster parents.

 

“The campaign message is simple -- Raise Hope and Foster Dreams…Become a Foster Parent in Montgomery County,” said Lisa Merkin, senior administrator for Child Welfare Services.  “There are children of all ages, including infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents who are being cared for by foster families.  We are always looking for additional families who can help a child in our community.”

 

At any given point in time, there are approximately 350 children in foster care placements with families in the community.  There is an immediate need for families interested in fostering one or more children 13 years of age and older, teen mothers and their babies/young children, sibling groups of any age, children from birth through age five and children with complex behavior and/or medical needs.

 

To become a foster parent, individuals must be 21 years or older, own or rent their own apartment or house, be in good physical and mental health, be able to meet their family’s financial obligations, submit to a housing inspection, pass a criminal background check, meet pre-service training requirements and have a stable family relationship.

 

Monthly information meetings are held for individuals and families interested in learning more.  For additional information, contact Dana Gardner, foster parent recruiter at 240-777-1664 or by email to dana.gardner@montgomerycountymd.gov.

 

Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 240-777-6534