Foster adoption focus of Kiwanis Club luncheon

July 23, 2018

Sarah Owen, Foster Care Specialist

 

Foster Care Specialist Sarah Owen is dedicated to improving the lives of the children, teens and families Richland County Children Services serves every single day.

Owen was the guest speaker at the July 19th Kiwanis Club of Mansfield luncheon at Deluxe Catering and Events in the Kobacker Room in downtown Mansfield.

Owen works closely with the youth and foster families in our community to ensure they have the resources they need to create a safe, loving and healthy environment.

Owen talked about the need for more foster and adoptive homes in Richland County. Richland County has seen an increase of more than double the normal rate of children placed in foster care settings due to the opioid epidemic along with other family crises with no increase in the number of homes available to care for our children.

"The majority of these are school-aged or teenagers. Many younger children are part of a sibling group who would like to be placed together by the same family," Owen said.

"Many of these children may be dealing with issues of past abuse or neglect and they need families who are willing to provide loving homes while they wait for their forever home or to work reunification plans back into their own homes," Owen said.

Kiwanis Club members also received copies of the RCCS Annual Report, information about becoming a foster parent and blue wrist bands with the child abuse, neglect and bullying prevention slogan "Hear Something! See Something! SAY SOMETHING!" 

 

 

 

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