The 9th Chancery/ Youth Court (Humphreys and Sunflower counties) are partnering with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services to host a Foster Parent Recruitment Event on Monday, February 14, 2022, from 2:00-6:00 pm at the Sunflower County Chancery Courthouse, 200 Main Street, Indianola, MS.
Mississippi has approximately 4,000 children in foster care across the state and 50 in Humphreys and Sunflower Counties. If you consider the surrounding counties of Leflore, Carroll, Holmes, Coahoma, Bolivar, and Washington counties, that number increases to over 150 children, right here in our backyards.
Attendees will learn more about the needs of foster children in their area, the requirements to become a foster parent, and will be able to sign up on-site. This event will be socially distanced, and masks are required. The Need When the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services cannot place children with a relative, a loving and committed foster family is needed. Children lose so much when they enter foster care: their families, pets, belongings, and connections. The goal is never to move them from their communities, but with approximately 4,000 children in care and less than 2,000 foster families, more is needed!
The most significant need is for families that are willing to parent teenagers. Finding homes for our teenagers is one of the biggest challenges of the foster care system. If children do not find permanent connections before they leave care, they are at higher risk for incarceration, homelessness, and human trafficking. There is a need for families who will walk along this journey with the children and biological families and give them hope. Foster Parents can make a difference.
The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services is the state agency charged with leading the state’s efforts in keeping children and youth thriving by strengthening families, preventing child abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and promoting child and family well-being and permanent family connections.
To learn more, please visit www.mdcps.ms.gov.
