May is Foster Care Month, a time to celebrate the hundreds of foster and kinship foster families in Vermont who provide safe, nurturing homes for children while they can’t be at home. It is with deep appreciation that the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families thanks them for their generosity, caring and willingness to “answer the call,” no matter when it comes.
Thank you for all you do to keep children safe, support parents, and help families stay connected. You help us keep local kids local by opening your hearts and homes to children in need. Without you, children would have to live outside of their communities and away from all that’s familiar.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the need for more foster families. The Middlebury District has an urgent need for families who are willing and able to care for infants, toddlers or children with special needs; have at least one stay-at-home parent; and can fully support frequent visits with the birthparents, with all the work that requires.
If you’re not sure that providing foster care is for you, you might consider providing respite care. It’s much like foster care but for shorter periods of time (e.g., a few hours, a day, a weekend, or a week or two).  Respite provides foster parents with breaks so they can get things done, relax and re-energize.
For more information about becoming a foster parent or respite provider, contact Laurie Mumley at [email protected] or at (802)388-4660, or go online to www.fostercare.vt.gov.