MI Families Urged To Take In Foster Children

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Hundreds of children in Michigan are in need of families who will open up their hearts and homes. During Foster Care Month in May, child welfare agencies are encouraging Michiganders to consider becoming a foster parent to help children whose families are in crisis. There are about 13,000 foster children in Michigan – children who Bob Wheaton, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says have been through a traumatic experience and need stability.

“They’ve been through a situation where they’ve had to be removed from their home due to us finding abuse or neglect, so what they really need is a loving home,” Wheaton said. “In some cases it will be in the short term through a foster family while we work with the family so the child can return safely”

Wheaton says the ultimate goal is to reunite children with their families, but in some cases long-term arrangements are required. According to federal data there were 3,500 Michigan kids waiting for an adoptive home in 2014.