The Wisconsin foster care crisis continues as we enter 2020. The plea for Wisconsin foster parents is desperate as more and more children and sibling groups enter foster care. Although the national Families First initiative is bringing some relief, sibling sets and groups of 3, 4 and more come into care regularly, mostly due to statewide drug abuse. Thankfully, 100% of our foster parents are willing to foster more than one child at a time. But what happens when we just can't seem to recruit new foster parents? what happens when we don't have an available home? As was the case a few weeks back when we did not have a foster home for 2-year-old twins! 
Hard to believe isn't it? When we posted this on our Facebook page, it went mini-viral. Over 3,000 people saw our post and the reactions and comments were as we expected.
Oh my gosh, I would take them in a heartbeat.
I wish I had the space in my home.
I am a licensed with my county and have no placements. Can I take them?
What county are they in? I can help.
Comments came in from all over the state. As expected, many of the reactions came from frustrated county foster parents with beds available in their homes. Many folks were willing to help and others were sad they could not.
Messages poured in from Wisconsin women interested in learning more, requesting information, and asking how they could help. We quickly responded to each in the hope that one would follow up and qualify as a prospective foster parent. That was 3 weeks ago, sadly none of those folks have followed up. We go through dry spells often so it does not surprise us when our inbox and mailbox remain empty. We remain hopeful.
Not one application returned to us between October to early January. We receive messages, emails, and calls every day from folks all over Wisconsin that are interested in learning about how to become a foster parent. Many are interested in information, some are ready to begin the application process, and others are looking to transfer from their county agency. 
We receive over 400 inquiries each year. Of those inquiries:
Thinking about foster care and taking the leap to actually become a licensed foster parent are miles apart from one another. There is so much to learn and so much information to gather that many families are simply scared away from the process. Which is why at Community Care Resources we don't make prospective foster parents sit through a generic orientation session nor do we offer information sessions that gloss over the highlights of being a foster parent.
We want to speak to you. We want you to get all the Wisconsin foster care answers you are looking for in a single phone conversation. Sit comfortably in your home and be confident that you are getting honest, transparent information so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. Calls with our CCR foster parent advisor last as long as they need to, usually 30-60 minutes. The call can go in many directions but always ending with every question answered.
There are no questions off-limits. There is no information that we will not provide. We have an answer to every question a prospective foster parent can possibly think of. We love foster care questions and we love to give foster care answers.
The list goes on and on. Sure, you can get a lot of that information right here on our website but we understand that sometimes, folks who want to become a foster parent want to speak with someone directly. People want to connect and feel welcomed by a friendly voice with hundreds of Wisconsin foster care answers.
It does not matter what Wisconsin county you live in. CCR is a statewide agency and we currently have homes in 35 Wisconsin counties. Each of our homes is receiving weekly in-home visits with unmatched support services.
Unfortunately, we do not know. Sadly, we are not told what happens to children when we are unable to place them in a loving home. As tragic as that sounds, imagine the toll that takes on employees. It is heartbreaking and frustrating that we just don't have enough families to meet the needs of all of the children referred to us.
When county foster agencies are unable to place kids in a county foster home (for whatever reason) they make a referral to a private agency like CCR. If we don't have the right home in the right location able to meet ALL the needs of a child or sibling group, we must turn the referral down. It is then up to the referring county as to where that child or sibling group is placed.
There are dozens of reasons why kids are referred to us and there are dozens of reasons why we are sometimes unable to place children in a loving home. At CCR our goal is to create a healing environment for a child. We are building healthy relationships so that placements are successful and kids can heal from trauma. Often times, we are creating forever families through foster to adopt options. 
If you have a flexible schedule that allows for weekly appointments, unplanned interruptions, and availability around school schedules, we would love to speak with you. If you are a current foster parent with your county or another agency and feeling frustrated, contact us and allow us to answer your questions. We love to provide details and honest answers.
Is foster parenting for you and your family? In less than 4 months you could be trained, licensed, and loving kids while helping them heal from their trauma. If you have an interest in learning more about foster to adopt options, let us know.
Call Jane at 800-799-0450
