Northwest Iowa — There’s an urgent call for northwest Iowa families to open their homes to take in foster children and to adopt.
Bambi Schrader, recruitment supervisor for Iowa KidsNet, says there’s a critical need for families to shelter sibling groups, teenagers and children who are older than eight-years-old.
She says there’s a continual waiting list for children seeking “forever homes.”
Schrader says for many children in foster care, it could take three years to be adopted. She says there’s a need for every type of family as kids come in all types.
Private adoptions may take several years and tens of thousands of dollars, but she says state adoptions through Iowa KidsNet are essentially free. The adoption process may take six months and it includes a home study, 30-hours of classwork and a background check.
More than 23,000 children age out of the foster care system nationwide every year. Last year in Iowa, 39 children aged out with no family or permanent home. Learn more at www.IowaKidsNet.com or by calling 800-243-0756.
