STEVENS POINT - Foundations Health & Wholeness is asking individuals and families throughout central Wisconsin to consider becoming foster parents as the organization continues to receive referrals for children and teens needing supportive homes.
In the last month, Foundations received 46 foster care referrals statewide. Of those referrals, 25 were for teenagers, 13 were for elementary-age children, and three referrals involved sibling groups.
Many referrals are also for children and teens who may benefit from additional support because of developmental, emotional, behavioral, social, or medical needs, including some youth with autism.
Foundations works closely with foster families to understand each child’s individual needs and provides specialized training and ongoing support.
“For a child experiencing foster care, being able to remain close to the community they know can provide an important sense of connection and stability,” said Laura Anderson, Central Wisconsin Regional Foster Care Director. “We need more people in Central Wisconsin who are willing to learn what fostering could look like for their family.”
When foster families are available locally, children have more opportunities to remain connected to their schools, friends, family relationships, activities and community. Those connections can provide important stability during an already difficult transition.
The greatest needs currently include families willing to foster teenagers, homes able to keep sibling groups together, foster families available for emergency placements, and families willing to care for children and youth who may benefit from additional developmental, emotional, behavioral, social, or medical support.
Foundations Health & Wholeness provides Treatment Foster Care and supports foster parents with comprehensive training, ongoing guidance, foster care specialists, and 24/7 assistance.
To learn more, contact Laura Anderson at 715-802-3005 or visit wearefoundations.org/foster-care/foster-care-by-foundations/.
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