Saskatchewan needs foster families. Yorkton alone has seen a 50 per cent decline in the number of foster families in the city, and that decline in numbers is making it a challenge to find a home for all the children who need it. The Saskatchewan Foster Families Association and the Ministry of Social Services hope to reverse this trend, and have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the need for foster families in the province and the region.
Deb Davies, executive director of the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association, says the campaign is focused on younger children, babies and toddlers. She says that they want to focus on younger kids because it’s not something many people realize is necessary.
“The more common perception of foster care is older children that are requiring out of home care.”
The goal in Yorkton itself is to allow kids to remain in their home community when they require out of home care. Davies emphasizes that this is a Saskatchewan-wide issue, but Yorkton is a focus because there is such a large decline in the number of foster families available.
They are not looking for one specific family profile, Davies says, but instead are trying to find families who are able to take in children.
“We are looking for all kinds of families. Typically we are looking for families that are perhaps empty nesters, we are looking for single families, anyone that feels that fostering would be a good fit for their family and they are able to open their home and open their heart to children requiring out of home care.”
Davies herself was a foster parent for over 28 years, and describes it as challenging, but worthwhile.
“It’s one of the most difficult things you will do in your life, but it’s one of the most rewarding opportunities that you will have, being able to help a child and their family be reunited, and being able to build strong supports for them in their communities to be successful, it’s very rewarding.”
There is no magic number for foster families, Davies says, but they want to increase the number of families who can care for these children, for the sake of the child’s future.
“We have had situations where younger children have been placed in group care or hotels. We want children to be placed, when they require care out of their own home, to be placed in a family setting, because we know there are better outcomes.”
Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent is encouraged to call 1-800-667-7002 to get more information and apply. Anyone who calls will receive an information package and be referred to the Ministry of Social Services. Applicant families need a criminal record check and family interviews, as well as to successfully complete training.
“We will work with them to make sure this is the right fit for them and their families.”
