Anderson County and the rest of the Upstate are in serious need of foster parents. In Anderson County 150 children are currently awaiting placement, many of whom are teenagers or those with special needs.
The South Carolina Youth Advocate Program is working to provide training, support and a monthly stipend to qualified families willing to offer foster homes.
There is also a specil need for sibling placements. Brothers and sisters who are not split into different homes or placed in group homes are better off than those who are not. The placement for older teens is also a critical area of need.
"Having a consistent, loving adult in the life of a teen to help maneuver their everyday life experiences is priceless and needed," said Betsy Gray-Manning, recruiter for the Resource Family Program South Carolina Youth Advocate Program.
The following are the number of children needing foster homes in the Upstate, listed by county:
Anderson- 150
Greenville- 291
Oconee- 63
Pickens- 138
Spartanburg- 128
Cherokee- 48
Abbeville- 17
Greenwood- 10
Laurens- 91
Newberry- 23
For more information contact Gray-Manning at 864-312-6700