By james art 
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – While the number of children in the foster care system has decreased in recent years in South Carolina, the number of those willing to place children has also decreased, creating an urgent and necessary need for foster parents.
Charleston County ranks third in the state in foster care with 223, behind Richland County, 498, and Greenville County, 426.
Across the country, the number of youth in foster care has declined, according to the Department of Social Services.
- 2022: 3404
- 2023: 3700
- 2024: 3383
It is good that fewer children are in the system, but the problem is not solved without a home.
The number of regular foster homes in South Carolina has declined in recent years, according to the Department of Human Services, leaving children in the system waiting longer and facing more changes than before.
- 2019: 1793
- 2020: 1,866
- 2021: 1754
- 2022: 1586
- 2023: 1439
The number of foster homes in the state has fluctuated in recent years. (SC Department of Social Services)
Vanessa Smalls works as a treatment coordinator for the National Youth Advocacy Program, also known as NYAP, which serves as a home base for foster care services.
She explained to the kids that those entering the system often don’t want to leave their homes and then have to wait hours in an office for someone to say yes and accept them.
“I’m not going to say that kids are told no, no, no, like everyone says no, but it’s just the fact that sometimes placement can take just as long. There are a bunch of nos, and sometimes when you get a yes, the yeses are temporary,” Smalls said.
Smalls said SC children urgently need foster parents and can’t do it without more people willing to open their homes and hearts.
“It’s worth the time, it’s worth the investment, it’s worth the impact because I’ve literally seen the impact that our foster parents have had in the lives of so many youth,” Smalls said. “They motivate me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
One Lowcountry resident, Michelle Hannum, and her husband decided to adopt a child for the first time about a year ago and have now been caring for a foster child for almost eight months.
“There are definitely challenges, but also some really, really great times,” Hannum said. “Every day the love and connection you create is truly special.”
Since becoming a foster parent, Hannum said many people who hear their story have thought about it but haven’t committed to the process.
“I would definitely recommend it,” Hannum said. “If there’s space, and I’m not talking like physical space, yes, you need physical space for a child, but just space in your heart where you have that extra love to give.”
“I think we all think we know what love is, but I think that’s probably the most important thing (encouragement) gives us,” she added. “Love can be so multi-dimensional and multi-faceted, but you don’t really know that kind of love until you’ve raised a child and been there for their needs.”
Offering resources to foster parents is a big part of the National Youth Advocate Program’s mission to ensure that parents are properly trained for every situation and to help foster children in any way they can.
“We’re going to make sure that foster parents and our youth take advantage of the resources that the state has to offer that they may not know about,” Smalls said.
“It’s really like a village because there’s a lot of support for you,” Hannum said. “It might not seem like it at first, but it’s there and it’s all around you. Even within the foster care community, there are so many people who come through the woodwork and are there for you.”
For more information on becoming a foster parent with NYAP, click here.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.