The need for foster parents and to help single mothers is great.
Tracy Grey, Chief Community Relations Officer for Heartland for Children, which oversees foster care in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, said Heartland for Children has:
- 1,966 children and young adults (extended foster care) in the child welfare system, a majority of whom are placed with relatives and non-relatives.
- 185 foster homes.
- 327 of the 1,966 children are placed with licensed foster parents.
- Approximately 100 out of those 1,966 are placed in group homes.
“Foster care is a temporary foster home for children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or have special needs. Foster parents provide a temporary loving, safe, and secure home-like setting for children while their parents are working towards reunification,” their website states.
“Our goal is to recruit 70 more foster parents to meet the needs of children — especially sibling groups, teens, and children with special needs.” TRACY GREY, CHIEF COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER FOR HEARTLAND FOR CHILDREN “Our annual adoption goal is to have 155 children adopted this fiscal year. We anticipate meeting this goal and encourage people to visit our website.”
Interested in becoming a foster parent?
Heartland for Children is hosting its next “Foster Care Information Night” on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 1239 E. Main St., Bartow, FL 33830 (2nd Floor)
To register: Call (863) 519-8900, ext. 289 or fill out the form at https://heartlandforchildren.org/become.