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Several children from Lanark-Leeds-Grenville are living outside their home communities because there are not enough local foster families available to care for them, according to Family and Children’s Services of Lanark-Leeds-Grenville.
The agency says it currently has 37 foster homes, but only nine have room for new placements. Even among those homes, some can only accommodate certain age groups or types of placements.
Officials estimate about eight children are currently being cared for outside the region because suitable local foster homes cannot be found.
Executive Director Erin Lee Marcotte said the agency always tries to keep children with their families whenever it is safe to do so.
When that is not possible, workers first look to relatives or trusted community members before turning to foster care.
Marcotte said many children entering care today have experienced trauma and may also have mental health or developmental challenges.
Recruitment and Assessment Worker Karen Lee Martineau is encouraging more residents to consider fostering, saying many people wrongly assume they need special qualifications or cannot foster while working full-time.
Martineau said foster parents receive training, mentorship and ongoing support.
The agency plans to continue recruiting foster families through local fairs, community events, information sessions and social media campaigns throughout the summer and fall.
Listen to the full interview below.
Story by Grant Deme
