Montrose County Recognizes Foster Superheroes in the Month of May
Montrose, CO— The Montrose Board of County Commissioners passed a proclamation today declaring May as Foster Care Month. Foster care assistance in Montrose County has been on the rise, and officials are encouraging families and individuals to consider becoming foster superheroes to help children in our community.
So far in 2022, 93 Montrose County children have been placed in foster family services; whereas in 2021, that number was 138 children and in 2020, 109 children. This large increase in 2022 falls in line with rising child abuse numbers. On the heels of April’s Child Abuse Awareness month, May’s recognition is timely as foster parents and child welfare programs go hand-in-hand in helping keep the children of our community safe.
“Montrose County Child Welfare Services first goal is always for children to remain in their home; however in some cases, children may need to be temporarily removed to get the family the services they need to provide a safe environment for the children. In those cases, the priority is reunification of the family,” said Montrose County Child Welfare Program Manager Stephanie Holsinger. “That’s where our foster families come in—they provide a temporary home for love, stability, and safety for the whole family to heal and get to a safe place.
Per the proclamation, “foster parents play an amazing role for birth families. They fill in to support Montrose County birth families who need time to overcome challenges and time to be whole again. During this global pandemic, foster families have once again shown us their strength and courage. They have accepted the pandemic challenges and have unfailingly shown up for Montrose County’s children.”
“My mom took in a foster child when I was in high school—we didn’t have the room, we didn’t have the money, but we took him in anyway and to this day we are still in contact. What a difference it made in his life—he was able to continue school in Montrose and continue his life here,” said Commissioner Roger Rash. “It made a difference in not only his life but our lives as well, and I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in fostering to look into the process and help make a positive difference in a child’s life today.”
“Foster families are vital to the entire community,” said Whimspire Northwest Regional Director Katie Norton. “Having a large number of foster families in an area makes it easier for the children to stay closer to their biological parents for visits, maintain the child’s school schedule, and continues to provide stability during a traumatic, and uncertain time in their lives. Foster parents make a difference—whether it’s a few nights or an entire childhood—foster parents help provide safety and stability.”
For more information on becoming a foster parents, please visit fostersuperheroes.com.