State-Journal.com - Searching for a family

Photo By Photos by Vicki Pettus

Foster children, Destiny, left, with sister, Danielle, right and Natalie, center have become fast friends. Many children in the foster care system are bounced from numerous shelters and homes while they await adoption.

Foster parents enjoyed watching their kids play at the 2009 Foster Parent Appreciation Day Saturday at Salato Wildlife Education Center. The training for foster parents is rigorous – 12 weeks, three hours a week – and each family is scrutinized for the ability to handle the situation economically.

Laurie Lancaster had doubts years ago when she and her husband first considered adopting more children.

She wondered if she could love another child as much as her 14-year-old birth daughter.

Then she saw 6-week-old Davin.

“When I laid eyes on him, I knew I could love him as much.”

Davin, recently removed from his natural parents, had a broken arm, chip fractures in both legs and an old healing rib fracture. He was also diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Lancaster and her husband became foster parents of a special needs child that day, and gave Davin a chance at life.

They would later foster two additional special needs children, and eventually adopt all three into their family.

The Lancasters were one of 16 foster parents in Franklin County who were the focus of the 2009 Foster Parent Appreciation Day recently at Salato Wildlife Education Center.

It was part of National Foster Care Month celebration and was sponsored by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Salt River Trail Region, which has 120 foster parents in nine counties including Franklin.

Nina Hamilton and Connie Taulbee, also from Frankfort, recently became foster parents of 10-year-old Chasity and plan to adopt her.

Chasity has been in numerous shelters and group foster homes since she was three, and is excited about having a permanent family.

“I’ve got two moms who care for me,” Chasity says with a big smile.

“I just hope the other children in shelters can find a great home.”

Betty and Johnny Preston, from Henry County, have been foster parents for 23 years, and have had 25 children in their care, with the average stay about three years.

The hardest part for them is when the children either return to their homes or find another home that wants to adopt the child.

“Ever been to a funeral?” Johnny Preston asks. “That’s what it feels like.”

Shirley and J.R. Huff, Anderson County, have been foster parents for only six months. They couldn’t have children of their own, and looked into foster care. They now have Natalie, 7, and feel that their life is “very full and blessed.”

Carolyn Overall, supervisor for the nine-county area that includes Franklin County, says foster parents are always needed.

Overall has been working with foster children for 12 years, and finds her job rewarding. She says the state works hard to determine ages that are suitable for foster parents who have been approved.

“The greatest part of my job is seeing that end result – whether the child is able to return home or we find a safe and secure foster home.”

For those who may consider becoming foster parents, Overall cautions that it is not easy.

“These children are emotionally and sometimes physically scarred; and they have had taken from them everything that they know.”

The training for foster parents is rigorous - 12 weeks, three hours a week - and each family is scrutinized for the ability to handle the situation economically. There’s also a health and criminal background check.

Laurie Lancaster suggests anyone interested in becoming a foster parent take the training.

“By the end of the training, you’ll know if it is for you.”

Betty Preston says foster care is not for everyone.

“You have to have an open mind and an open heart.”

For J.R. Huff, there’s no doubt becoming a foster parent was the right decision.

“It the greatest thing,” Huff said. “I can’t even describe the feeling I have everyday.”

And as for little Davin, he is a healthy 4-year-old boy who is doing well and loves preschool.

“If you had asked me 10 years ago that I would be a stay-at-home mom doing this,” says Laurie Lancaster, “I would have laughed at you.”

“Life just changes you.”

To learn more about becoming a foster parent:

Call: 1-888-698-2221 or visit the state Web site:

http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/faqfostercare.htm#1