If you have space in your heart and your home to help a child in need, Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County wants to hear from you.
A critical foster caregiver shortage that is affecting communities across the province has made the local situation challenging and Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County (FCSRC) is looking for potential foster caregivers. The agency is hosting several upcoming information sessions for those interested in learning more.
Over the past decade, says Jennifer White, FCSRC executive director, the entire sector has worked hard to reduce the number of kids in care and, wherever possible, support families to stay together.
FCSRC is lucky to have longstanding relationships with several incredible foster caregivers and families, she said, but at this time many of these homes are either already at capacity or nearing retirement.
“Unfortunately, in the post-pandemic climate we are not seeing many new foster caregivers coming forward to replace these homes and we are struggling even more to find diverse homes and people that are able to support children with more complex needs,” she said.
White said there are a number of known socioeconomic risk factors that leave children and families vulnerable to breakdown but what they are seeing at the forefront right now is gaps in supports for kids struggling with mental health and complicated behaviours.
“Families, especially in rural areas like Renfrew County, are finding it extremely difficult to gain access to early supports, interventions and treatments for their children, especially for children with complex needs,” she said. “As a result, we are tragically seeing kids coming into our care because families are exhausted and they have reached a breaking crisis or breaking point.”
What the foster caregiver shortage means for local children is that despite an awareness of the importance of children maintaining a connection to both their family and community during times of adversity, the agency is left with no choice but to seek out placement and treatment options for kids outside of Renfrew County, sometimes hours away from all of their known support systems and networks. White says they are reaching out for families to apply.
There is currently a particular need for foster caregivers who have either expertise or lived experience supporting kids with trauma, neurodiversity behaviours or other special needs; for example: parents who have kids with special needs themselves or people who may have worked with complex kids in education, health or other support or social service roles.
The first info session is taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. at the FCSRC office on Argyle Street in Renfrew. Next ones are Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family and Children’s Services office on Mary Street in Pembroke, and then another one on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the office on Argyle Street in Renfrew.
Interested individuals can visit fcsrenfrew.on.ca at any time for more information.
(Written by: Sherry Haaima)