National Foster Care Month is in May. The Town of Bethel is honored to host an event to promote the significant need for foster parents in Connecticut.
Currently, Connecticut has 3,100 children in foster care. At this time, there are approximately 2,000 families fostering children in Connecticut, including a significant number of grandparents and other relatives caring for children in their extended families.
The Annie C. Courtney Foundation, Inc. (Annie C) has partnered with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) since 2014. Together, with DCF, Annie C will hold a presentation on May 2 in hopes of finding more Bethel area families for children in foster care. During the presentation, you will have an opportunity to hear from DCF staff and a local foster parent. There are so many supports available to guide you on your journey to being a sense of comfort and guidance for a child/ren going through a very difficult time. Extensive training is provided, local support groups, regular social worker support and HUSKY healthcare coverage for all children. If needed, respite care is available to foster families when fostering a child for longer durations.
Under DCF, the goal for most of these children is family reunification. The commitment may be as short as a week or a month, or over a year. Reunification with kin is 60%. Adoption may occur for a small number of children for whom reunification is not possible.
The event will last approximately 30- 45 minutes. Pizza will be provided.