County aims for 'permanency' for children in foster care

New initiatives are leading to the availability of more foster care homes in Cherokee County and fewer children who need them. 

by Kristal Dixon, as seen in Cherokee Tribune on September 25, 2010

As of August, there were 138 children in foster care, down from 171 children in 2009 and 321 children in 2008. The number of foster homes has risen to 78 as of August, up from 77 in 2009 and 72 in 2008. 

D'Anna Liber, director of Cherokee County Department of Family and Children's Services, said the statistics are in line with the agency's focus on "permanency" for children in foster care.

"We adopted the philosophy that a day longer in foster care was impacting a child's ability to thrive and grow in a permanent family," she said.

Ms. Liber said the agency works to find relatives who can take children in instead of placing them in foster care. 

They also are looking to people who already have bonds with the children, including teachers, coaches, a member of the youth's church, neighbors and others who are willing to take in foster children.

"We strongly feel that getting a child into a home where they can grow and thrive is urgent, and all of our efforts must focus on this," she added. 

To recruit and maintain foster homes, Ms. Liber and her staff have been working with churches and PTA chapters and advertising at county events, such as this weekend's Riverfest.

She said the efforts have been positive, noting many county schools are supportive of their efforts.

One county church will continue its efforts to help DFCS find suitable foster homes in the county.

First Baptist Woodstock is conducting orientations for prospective foster families. The free programs are from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and Oct. 10 at the church at 11905 Highway 92.

Through its Christian Foster Care Ministry, the church partners with FaithBridge Foster Care to help "solve the foster care issue" in Cherokee, said Chuck Mingonet of Acworth, church member and foster care advocate. 

The partnership began in 2008 and the church has provided homes for about 100 children, Mingonet said. The church includes 25 active foster families and 20 who provide respite care for foster families. 

Mingonet said he hopes to see an additional 25 come to Sunday's orientation.

"We definitely have a need," he added.

FaithBridge is a Christian-based nonprofit organization that partners with churches to train and provide resources for foster families. It has more than 14 church partners in the north Georgia and greater Atlanta area. 

Mingonet said the church also would like to see prospective respite families, saying the need is great in that area as well. Respite families take care of foster children for a short period of time, such as a weekend, while the foster parents take a break from parenting.

Being a foster family can bring stability to otherwise normal children experiencing hardships, according to Mingonet.

"So many of them are normal kids, but have been neglected and need a safe place," he said. 

Providing children with a loving environment is the reason why James and Melissa Bottoms of Holly Springs decided to become foster parents.

Mrs. Bottoms said she and her husband have been fostering children for almost 20 months. 

"We really felt like the Lord was leading us to do this," she said.

The Bottoms have fostered a total of five children, and currently have three in their home.

Mrs. Bottoms said the experience has made her stronger, and she relies on her faith more.

She urged anyone who is interested in fostering children to look into doing so.

"There are so many kids... who are floating around in the system," she said. "It's also very rewarding."

Andy and Lindsay Woodward of Canton want to become respite parents as a "great way to get our foot in the door," Mrs. Woodward said.

Mrs. Woodward said she and her husband felt like "God instructed us" to do so.

A seventh-grade language arts teacher at Woodstock Middle School, Mrs. Woodward said she also wants to use her tutoring skills to help foster children who are struggling in school. 

"We are looking to help some kids and show them the love of Christ," she said.