We have been licensed foster parents in Iowa for 9 months. Before our current placement, we had our very first placement of two kiddos that was just 5 days long, and then we took a real long break 😂 in fact, we were actually still on “hold” when we got the call for our current placement and I’m so dang thankful they called anyway!
Did y’all know that in the US there are over 420,000 kiddos in foster care?
And according to the state data center over 9,700 children were in foster care in Iowa in 2017. (I’ll post the break down below)
Last year we learned that at any given time in Iowa 4,000-6,000 children will be in foster care, but only 2,000-2,300 families are certified foster parents.
So friends if you have felt ANY tug at becoming foster parents I would so encourage you to follow that pull. While not everyone will be able to become a foster parent, it’s easy to let fear drive your decisions, and to say no because it’s scary.
Yes it’s hard. Yes you’ll probably “get too attached”… foster parents aren’t some supernatural beings with no feelings. We love those sweet precious babes with all our might while we simultaneously come alongside birth parents and cheer and pray for them as they work towards reunification and restoration of their family. Yes, you’ll probably ask yourself “what in the world are we doing here”.
But each of those numbers are real children. They have names, needs, feelings, stories, favorite colors, favorite toys, favorite foods, mannerisms, personalities… and they deserve safe places to thrive in. They deserve to be shown love, especially the love that Jesus so freely pours out.
Each state has their own process for becoming licensed. It’s free, and requires some training and background checks/home studies.
In Iowa, everyone gets licensed through Four Oaks/ Lutheran Services (depending on which part of the state you’re in). You just go to an info session, do a background check, complete 30 hours of initial training, paperwork and a couple home studies and then wait for the referral calls!
You can get all the details here: https://iowafosterandadoption.org
Not in Iowa? Just do a google search for your state + foster care licensing!
And if you really don’t think foster care is for your family, I would highly encourage you to find ways to still love on and support these children. Contact your local DHS and see what needs they have for these kiddos. Check in with foster parents you know and see how you can encourage and love them well. Maybe they have needs you can meet. There are plenty of ways to be involved and I am encouraging you to do so this month ♥️
