To the editor:

Rhode Island is lacking in foster homes. Currently there are about 2,000 children in state care but only enough space in foster homes around the state for about half of those children. That leaves about 1,000 vulnerable children without a home.
So, what happens to those 1,000 children if there are not enough homes? The state could end up finding a family member to come forward and care for them, but more often than not these children will end up in either a group home or a shelter. If a child cannot be with a biological family member, the ideal next step is a foster home that provides a loving, safe family setting.
I work as a Foster Care Consultant for Boys Town New England and every day I see the incredible difference made in children’s lives who are able to live in a foster home and receive the love, support, safety and structure that they often were unable to receive with their biological families. The children that are referred to our agency have all been through trauma. They have been neglected or abused, and sometimes have never known what it is to be a part of a family that is able to provide all of the things that children need.
Because of the trauma they have experienced, children often come to us with behaviors that can be difficult to deal with. Boys Town foster parents are trained extensively on how to deal with behaviors, and have 24/7 on-call support from their designated Boys Town Foster Care consultant. In addition to being on call, the consultant is in the home weekly for teaching and support. I have seen children make extraordinary progress with foster parents providing the love and support every child needs, along with the consistent teaching that Boys Town provides.
Foster parents are heroes, and we need more of them. Currently, Boys Town does not have any foster homes in Warren, Bristol, or Barrington. I’m proud to be a resident of such an incredible town as Warren, and I would love to see some Warren residents and other East Bay-ers explore what it would look like to begin fostering with Boys Town.
So, what does it take to be a foster parent? Let me address some common misconceptions. You don’t need to be married, you don’t need to own your own home, and you don’t need to be rich. We have some single-parent families that foster. Some rent and some own their homes. Some foster parents have their own children and some do not. We have a diverse representation of age and race among our foster parents. And we have many different income levels represented; all you need is enough money to support you and your own family. Boys Town provides a monthly stipend to cover the additional expenses that come with taking a child into your home. In short, any person who can provide a safe, loving home to a child is welcome to apply to be a foster parent.
Interested in learning more? On Tuesday, April 25, Boys Town and Volunteer Warren are presenting a Foster Care Informational Session at Mary V. Quirk School (790 Main St.) at 7 p.m. The session is open to anyone and everyone (not just Warren residents). Along with myself and Boys Town’s Foster Care Program Director speaking, we will have a current foster parent there to share his experience and answer questions. This event is open to everyone: whether you’re interested in foster parenting, or if you’re just curious to learn more about foster care, or perhaps if you’d be interested in being licensed to provide short-term respite care only. Hope to see you there. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at carol.wild@boystown.org.

Carol Wild
Union Street, Warren