Colorado, along with more than a dozen other states, is currently facing a foster care shortage. There aren’t enough families willing to take in the increasing number of children entering the foster care system. The Griffith Centers, a nonprofit headquartered in Denver, is urging more people to become foster parents, especially for teenagers and siblings who are often tougher to place in foster homes. At least 16 other states are also experiencing a foster shortage, including Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
The number of children and youth in foster care across the United States is over 391,000, with approximately 20,000 young people aging out of the system each year without a permanent family. In Colorado, the number of kids in foster care grew to 4,351 in 2023, up 11% from the previous year. On average, 10 children a day are entering the foster care system in Colorado. The Griffith Centers’ foster care home supervisor, Lacy Ruffin, emphasizes the positive impact a safe home can have on a young adult’s development, citing a child who went from nonverbal to speaking in full sentences with the support of foster parents.
Chantelle Johnson, director of the Griffith Centers’ foster care program, highlights the shortage of foster parents due to reasons like a lack of education, understanding, or resources. She stresses the need for more families to step up, especially for teenagers and siblings looking to stay together. Jacob Harrington, a former foster parent through the Griffith Centers, shares his experience of becoming a dad to three children with his wife eight years ago and fostering five children. Despite initially finding it hard, he emphasizes the importance of support and encourages others interested in fostering to apply and learn more about the process.
The Griffith Centers, with offices in Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Grand Junction, is committed to providing love and support to children in foster care through the dedication of “angels” committed to their happiness. They believe that having a safe and loving home can make a significant difference in a child’s life and development. They invite anyone interested in learning more about foster care to visit their website for contact information. The nonprofit acknowledges the challenges and misconceptions surrounding fostering and adoption but urges individuals with the desire to see growth, development, and a safe place for vulnerable children to consider becoming foster parents.
The issue of foster care shortages is not unique to Colorado, as many other states are also grappling with a lack of families willing to take in children in need. The Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information and resources on foster care and adoption. The need for more foster parents, especially for teenagers and siblings, is evident across the country. Organizations like the Griffith Centers play a crucial role in supporting and advocating for children in the foster care system, encouraging individuals and families to consider opening their hearts and homes to those in need.
