Have you wondered about becoming a foster parent?

Montezuma County Social Services hopes more people will consider it because there is a shortage in the county, said director Gina Montoya.

The department is trying to recruit more foster parents locally to prevent local kids from being placed in foster homes outside the county.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the number of foster care homes that are needed,” Montoya said. “We have had to place children out of county and state, and this creates more disruption for the children.”

Thirty-four children arein foster care in Montezuma County, and four are placed outside the county, including in Denver, Grand Junction and Texas. The department prefers zero out-of-county placements, possible, Montoya said.

The county has only four non-kin foster homes in Montezuma County, and more are needed, said foster care coordinator Candy Shupe.

Being placed in a foster home is disruptive, and the experience is more difficult when the placement is far away from home.

“To have to move far away is hard on them. They are sad and struggle with it,” Shupe said.

Leaving friends and social support networks, starting a new school, and being farther away from the parents and family is traumatic, she said. It also affects parents who have to take off work to travel for court-ordered visitation.

There is especially a need for foster parents to care for children ages 12 and up.

The foster system is different from adoptions. Foster homes are temporary, court-ordered placements for kids whose parents must undergo treatment.

After parents complete treatment programs, children are reunited with parents.

If parents fail to complete court-ordered treatment, parental termination orders may be issued by the court, putting the child up for adoption.

In Montezuma County, most parents successfully complete treatment programs, and the children return home, Montoya said.

“Our goal is to work with families, reunite them and provide resources and services they need,” she said.

To become a foster parent, you must be over 21, pass a criminal background check, have a safe home, be financially stable and be physically able to care for children.

Applicants face an interview process, 27 hours of training, and home evaluations. Foster parents must be certified in CPR and first aid.

“You don’t have to be perfect or have the perfect home to become a foster parent,” Shupe said. “You need to have empathy, understand the kids come from hard places, but are good kids who need a safe home.”

Children in foster care need supportive adults until they can be reunited with their family. Foster parents help the child cope with separation and make sure they have opportunities to be a kid.

You don’t have to be married or have a family to become a foster parent. Single adults qualify as well.

Typically, a foster parent will have a child placed in their homes for six to nine months. Foster parents can request a certain age group or gender, and can decline a placement based on behavioral issues of the child.

Foster parents are also provided financial support from Social Services to care for a child, and may receive up to $1,000 per month to cover expenses. Social Services also provides transportation and child care services for the foster parent.

Social Services plans to have an open house in December to provide information on becoming a foster parent and what to expect. Dinner will be served. Details on the open house will be announced soon.

Being a foster parent is challenging but rewarding, Shupe said. “Foster parents help a child with everyday needs, and help them grow,” she said.

For more information on foster care, contact Candy Shupe at 970-564-4126, or cshupe@co.montezuma.co.us

Visit the foster family page of the Montezuma County website, and view a video about the program.