Several foster children from across Lubbock and surrounding counties were able to spend the day at Main Event to help raise awareness for local foster programs.
“We’ve got about 1,500 in foster care, and we have several in family base that haven’t been removed yet,” Dr. Shaun Keel, founder of Foster *A* Life, said.
Keel said Lubbock and surrounding counties have some of the highest rates of foster children in the nation.
“We have one of the highest rates for children in foster care. We are having a desperate shortage for students and foster placement,” Keel said.
Dr. Keel said these are the steps needed to become a foster parent, here are the steps:
1. Pick a child placing agency (CPA) that you want to work with. People can go through CPS, but there are others such as the Children’s Home of Lubbock, Texas Boys Ranch, Buckner, Depelchin, Children’sHope, Arrow, BAIR Foundation.
2. After you decided on the CPA, you will attend an information meeting that will give more information about their programs and the process. If you decide on the CPA, the next step is…
3. Training classes. Each agency has their own training program, but there is a minimum of 35 hours required. At this point, a background check will be completed.
4. After the training period, a home study will be completed. This study looks into the condition of the home, the family unit (mom, dad, other children, etc. and financial status. If the home studypasses the next step is…
5. You become a foster parent!
People can look on the DFPS (Department of Family & Protective Services) website that has information including the CPAs in this area. They can also call the Lubbock CPS office 806-762-2680.
