Did You Know I’m a Foster Parent?

98.3 The Key was contacted recently by the Northwest Adoption Exchange asking us to talk about opportunities to be a foster parent. Little did they know I'm a foster parent.

According to the experts, Washington state continues to face a critical shortage of licensed foster and adoptive families. There are 4,800 licensed foster homes but 8,500 foster children, with 1,400 children available for adoption today.

My wife Kelly grew up in a home that welcomed foster kids and when she was ready to, she welcomed them also. People think foster parents do it for the money, but it's really not enough to be a part-time job. The money covers the expenses of the kids and anything left over is minimal.

Also, being a foster parent is too difficult to do it for a little money. In addition to having more kids, you also need to become licensed and take continuing education classes. All the hoops to jump through make me feel like I have a nursing degree now!

I am aware of people who treat their foster kids differently from their own kids. That's just wrong. If you decide to become a foster parent, you must be ready to open your home and your heart. You're not running a hotel, you're raising a child.

For more information call 1-888-KIDS-414.