OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Like their counterparts across Oklahoma, child welfare professionals in Washington County are facing a challenge in recruiting enough quality foster homes to meet the rising number of children in state custody because of confirmed child abuse and neglect.

In fiscal year 2005, Oklahoma Department of Human Services staff in Washington County investigated 432 referrals of suspected child abuse and neglect, an 88 percent increase from just four years ago.

“Unlike Tulsa and Oklahoma City, we don’t have a large capacity children’s shelter in Bartlesville,” said Lisa Cary, child welfare supervisor, Washington County Human Services Center. “Lately we’ve been seeing a lot of very young children coming into foster care. This is a challenge for our foster parents because most of them work and many of these children are too young to be placed in day care.”

According to Cary, there seems to be a lack of understanding concerning the need for quality foster homes in Washington County. “We have great foster parents, but you can never have enough foster homes. It’s frustrating because the only thing more beautiful than the city of Bartlesville is the heart of its people. If they only knew how much we needed them, how much these children needed them, I know they’d step up.”

If you or someone you know would like to experience the rewards of becoming a foster parent, please call 1-800-376-9729, or click on www.OKDHS.org. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call 1-800-522-3511, or contact your local OKDHS Human Services Center.

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