There are currently more than 12,000 children in foster care in North Carolina, while in 2022 there was a significant decrease of 23 percent in the number of foster homes. This resulted in only 5,000 total licensed foster homes statewide – not nearly enough to take in all the children who need care.
Sadly, these children must leave their homes due to difficult family situations, and they look to loving adults in our communities for the things their own families are unable to provide at the time. The need is great for foster families to support these children during the transition, while they await reunification, guardianship with relatives, or adoption.
Children’s Home Society of NC (CHS) has undertaken an effort to build awareness of the dire need for foster families by launching a statewide multi-media campaign including a newly developed television commercial. Through significant funding from Trillium Health Resources, this campaign will be heavily concentrated in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties where there is a substantial need for foster families.
“Every child deserves a safe and loving home,” Adrienne Beatty, Trillium’s Director of Network Development, said. “We want to be sure the families in our communities feel supported in providing that home. CHS has demonstrated that it is a mission-driven organization that will stand as a champion for all children to grow up in families and serve children who have high demand needs and require wrap-around supports.”
The CHS marketing effort is designed to help the public understand the jarring number of children who need transitional care and to give insight into the rewards of fostering, not only for the child, but for the foster parents. Mass media will include billboards, print ads, and the commercial which will be airing on television and streaming platforms.
“Input from current CHS foster families strongly influenced our messaging around the theme that being a foster parent won’t always be easy, but it’s worth it, and inviting viewers to imagine the difference they can make by opening their hearts and homes to a child who needs them,” said Shannon Enoch, CHS Executive Director of Programs.
For children who are going through an extremely unsettling transition, foster families:
- provide a safe and comfortable family environment.
- provide physical and emotional needs as they would for their own child.
- ensure that the child attends school and express appreciation for their accomplishments.
- provide recreational and enriching activities.
- provide appropriate clothing.
- attend to medical and dental needs.
- guide through the grieving and adjustment process that accompanies the transition.
- help maintain a realistic relationship with their families through visitation and active consideration of the child’s feelings.
- assist in preparing the child to return to family or to be moved to a permanent adoptive home.
Because Children’s Home Society’s mission is founded in ensuring a permanent, safe, and loving family for every child, those considering providing foster care can be assured that CHS walks alongside our foster families every step of the way.
For more information on Children’s Home Society, becoming a foster or adoptive parent, volunteering, or providing financial support, please call 800-632-1400 or visit www.chsnc.org.
Children’s Home Society is dedicated to providing top-quality, evidence-based programs and services to children and families throughout North Carolina. Our education and child welfare staff provided services to more than 20,000 individuals last year, educating and preserving families, supporting children and families through transitions, and creating new families.
About Trillium Health Resources
Trillium Health Resources is a leading specialty care manager (LME/MCO) for individuals with serious substance use, mental illness and intellectual/ developmental disabilities in 28 counties in eastern North Carolina. Trillium’s mission is transforming lives and building community well-being through partnership and proven solutions. We help every community and individual we serve to reach their fullest potential. By coordinating care across multiple systems, we achieve improved health outcomes, quality of care, and efficient use of resources. Trillium remains focused on delivering the right services, in the right amount, at the right time. For more information, visit www.TrilliumHealthResources.org.
About Children’s Home Society of North Carolina
Children’s Home Society offers a network of services and support throughout North Carolina to help establish and sustain healthy, loving relationships in every family. For 120 years, Children’s Home Society has provided a broad spectrum of programs and services including adoption, foster care, parenting education, family preservation, and teen responsibility. Children’s Home Society believes in the importance of family, not only in the life of a child but also in the foundation of a community. For more information, visit www.chsnc.org.
