Need For Foster Families Remains High

The need for foster parents continues at critical levels across the state and here in the Upper Cumberland.

Omni Family Facility Director Selena Stewart said current numbers show some 8,000 Tennessee children in foster care. Stewart said they have recently seen a small increase in the number of foster families, but the need still exists.

“There were a lot of people, a lot of children that were also very isolated,” Stewart said. “So now, you know, we see there’s more needs, there’s more children coming into foster care, and so reaching people to open their homes is what we’re really trying to focus on to give that, those children a safe space.”

Stewart said that getting more foster homes would provide children in the system with more stability while they search for a permanent solution. She said the lack of foster homes also makes it more likely for siblings to be separated when they enter the foster care system.

“They’re already in a vulnerable place because they’re coming into care due to some kind of dependent neglect or abuse,” Stewart said. “And them you know, if they’re looking they may have to get placed further out away from, you know, where their home is or, you know, what they’re used to, their communities.”

Stewart said Omni Family provides foster families with evidence-based training through small group classes, support groups, and lessons on trauma-informed care.

“Our organization, we have a community mental health side and then we also have the foster care side,” Stewart said. “And so we really work together to try to make sure that, you know, our foster families also have those basic mental health services they need and access to, you know, care.”

Stewart said the organization is encouraging people to foster children through community involvement and education about the impact it has on children in need.

“Foster parents are out best recruiters,” Stewart said. “You know, because they know the ins and outs, they’ve been a part of it.”

Stewart said the Upper Cumberland has historically provided a lot of relative caregivers that care for children, but those have been harder to find in recent years as well. She said the problem began during the pandemic.