You may or may not know this, but Lansing (by “Lansing” I am referring to main governing body of DHHS in Lansing) keeps track of all the ins and outs of foster care for the whole state, and of course Lansing keeps up on all the numbers. How many kids in care there are, how many homes, how many kids return home and how many go on to be adopted, etc.
Well I learned recently that Lansing has set a goal for Muskegon county for this fiscal year. According to the numbers for CPS cases, how long kids are staying in the system, return home rates, number of homes closing their license, etc, Muskegon needs to add 44 new homes this year.
44 new homes?!
Let me put that in perspective for you, last year we added about 15. And about 15 homes also closed their licenses last year.
That 44 number doesn’t even include the relative homes, like when the kids are removed and placed directly with an aunt or grandparent. No, Lansing is counting on a number of those happening also, but these are supposed to be 44 new general foster care homes.
There’s never been a time that we’ve been more needed in our community. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved but are waiting until the right time… well, this would be a pretty good time.