SC social services chief puts out the call for foster families

“I called 52 foster homes today and 15 child placement agencies. It feels like I called everyone. All said, no.”

“Please, can you take her in? She did not ask to come into foster care. We have nowhere to place her.”

This scenario is happening in South Carolina and everywhere around the country.

Some of you may remember a similar story shared frequently this time of year of a young pregnant mother traveling in response to a government requirement, and she had no place to stay during her moment of greatest need, so her only recourse was to use the stables for shelter.

This Christmas, it’s your help that is urgently needed.

More and more teenagers in South Carolina are coming into foster care.

The stress and anxiety of schooling, the pandemic, economic instability, social stress and caregiver stress are all risk factors contributing to the increase.

More large sibling groups and medically fragile children who need consistent medical care are coming into foster care.

No placements are available due to staffing shortages of group care providers or foster parents who choose to restrict their home to only younger children.

These children and youth need someone to love, support and minister to them for the short time they are in foster care.

They are most likely going back home to their own family, but for a time, sometimes longer than shorter, they need you.

Some foster parents may have a preference for infants and small children with an eye towards the opportunity to potentially adopt and raise a young child if reunification efforts fail, but the urgent need right now in South Carolina is different.

While adoption of a young child may be in your future, perhaps right now you are the person who has been prepared for such a time as this to help provide a caring, stable home environment to a teenager who desperately needs security?

Are you interested in starting your journey as a foster parent?

The first step in becoming a licensed foster parent in South Carolina is by reaching out to Heartfelt Calling by visiting HeartfeltCalling.org or by calling 1-888-828-3555.

If you are a current licensed foster parent in South Carolina, please call your child placing agency or the Department of Social Services and say, “I’m the one you can call when others say no.”

Call the Department of Social Services and say, “Call me when this happens. I am willing to answer this calling and change a life.”

Michael Leach, a Columbia resident, has served as State Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services since April 2019.