Federal and state officials are launching a campaign to get more people to adopt teenage kids. Amy Stein is a project coordinator for KidSake, a group that works with foster parents through the Iowa Foster Parent Association. Stein says there are a lot of myths that may keep people from wanting to adopt older kids. She says the main myth they find is that teens are to difficult and come with too much baggage. Stein says that just isn’t true.
Stein says the teens want to have someone that will take care of them. Stein says what the teens need are safety and stability and a permanent home where they can grow and thrive, and she says they go on to have wonderful lives. Stein says they aren’t looking for super mom or super dad.
Stein says “You don’t have to be the perfect parent” is the national slogan for the campaign, as she says the kids just need someone there for them, to listen to them and cheer them on. Stein says there’s a need all across the country for foster parents.
Stein says there are over 500-thousand kids in foster in the U.S. and approximately 38-percent are between the ages 13 to 18. She says in Iowa there over 43-hundred kids in foster care and 56-percent are between the ages of 12 to 18.
Stein says Iowa is, “in desperate need for more families willing to foster and adopt teenagers.” Stein says her organization helps get the ball rolling for people interested in foster care. She says you can contact KidSake and they’ll talk with you about foster care and adoption and then refer you to an agency in your area. Stein says you take a 10-week 30-hour training course and then the D-H-S decides if you’re eligible to be a foster parent or adopt.
Stein says it doesn’t cost anything to be a foster parent or adopt. For more information, surf to: www.iakids.org, or call 1- 800-243-0756
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