The Truth About Foster Care In Nevada
It really takes a village to raise children these days. Especially the ones who are in foster care. There are so many children waiting and wanting to be loved and accepted into a new family with a loving home.
When asked about foster Care in Nevada, most people don’t have much information. It’s not the average conversation you’d hear in the local barber shops or beauty salons, but it’s truly a conversation that must be had. I recently spoke with Lynn Jasames from Clark County Department of Family Services, and she cleared the air on this important topic.
Facts About Foster Care In Nevada
According to ClarkCounty.NV.gov, there are about 3,400 children in foster care on any given day in Clark County. This includes kids from toddler age all the way up to teens. These are children who are between homes or who don’t live with their biological families. These are kids who had to leave their biological home due to abuse or neglect. They often are waiting for those circumstances to be improved, so they can be reunified with their families.
These children need foster parents to raise them in healthy homes to help them navigate through life. It’s hard enough being a kid who has to deal with school, peer pressure, and bullying. Without having to also go back to a home where they don’t feel safe or cared for. And there are so many kids in Clark County who are in this situation. A big reason is that too many people think they aren’t qualified to help. Even though they may volunteer, they don’t think they can get involved in foster care in Nevada specifically as parents.
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Who Can Become A Foster Parent
So when we talk about who can be a foster parent, most people cancel themselves out due to a lack of knowledge. They create ideas, or things they’ve heard or perhaps take on somebody else’s experience and perspectives. The truth is you have to be at least 21 years of age, you can be LGBTQ, married, divorced, single, or a stay-at-home parent. You can even be unemployed, as long as you are financially solvent which means you can financially support yourself legally, and of course, be able to provide a loving and supportive home for a foster child, according to Jasamaes.
One of the most asked questions about foster care in Nevada is, whether or not someone gets to pick the child to foster. According to Lynn Jasames, they don’t particularly let you choose as though you are picking a pet at a local pet adoption agency because it can be very discouraging to a child when they see a person or family coming to possibly take them home and that family leaves without them. It’s based on your application. On that form, it’ll ask what age group, sex, nationality, and other important questions that will help connect you with the right child.
The Proper Steps To Becoming A Foster Parent
You can start by attending an “Evening With The Stars of Foster Care” event on April 30, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be at the William U. Pearson Center located at 1625 W. Carey Ave. North Las Vegas. There, you’ll get the resource information about foster care, hear from a panel of foster parent stars about their experiences, and fill out an application to foster, as well as get your fingerprints taken.
Even if you’re just curious about helping out with foster care in Nevada, check out this event. So many kids in Clark County need help. It really takes a village and you could be the next one to make a difference in a child’s life.
Marlon "DJ Thump" Rice is a morning show host on Jammin’ 105.7 "Thump In The Morning!" He has been with the station for the past six years and has been inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame class of 2019. DJ Thump has toured with R&B legend Al B. Sure! As his music director. As a content creator for Jammin’ 105.7, DJ Thump writes articles on sports, preferably the Las Vegas Raiders and the world champion Las Vegas Aces. DJ Thump writes about the local community (which he is heavily involved in) as well as local Black-owned businesses.
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