Foster family shortage leaves local children without stable homes

Anyone interested in learning more can contact Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville at 613-498-2100 or visit fcsllg.ca

Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville is looking for more foster families as children across the region begin a new school year.

Karen Lee Martineau, a recruitment and assessment worker with the agency, says having a stable foster home can make a major difference for children facing uncertainty in their family lives. 

She says worries about home life and where a child may be staying can make it harder to focus on school, friendships and daily routines.

Martineau says the agency is experiencing a shortage of foster homes, making it harder to find the right placement for children in care. 

She says some children are also living outside their local community because an appropriate foster home is not available nearby.

The agency says people interested in fostering do not necessarily need previous parenting experience. Training and support are available for prospective foster parents.

Anyone interested in learning more can contact Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville at 613-498-2100 or visit fcsllg.ca.

Listen to the full interview between Karen Lee Martineau and Jessica Minnie below.

Story by: Jessica Minnie