Letter to the Editor: Seeking ‘resource families’ for foster care

I am writing on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Social Services Resource Family Division to appeal for the support of the Baptist community of South Carolina. In recent years, the number of quality resource families in Region IV has declined, while the number of children coming into care has held steady. Many of these children are members of large sibling groups and are often over the age of 10. In order to accommodate the increased number of siblings and older children entering foster care, more resource families are needed. The Love With No Limits Campaign is aimed toward the recruitment and retention of new and existing resource families. The goal of this one-year campaign, which was launched on April 1, 2014, is to increase the number of homes in Region IV by 15 percent.

The Region IV Resource Family Division of the South Carolina DSS is currently servicing the following 12 counties: Florence, Darlington, Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Marlboro, Lee, Sumter, Dillon, Chesterfield and Marion. The Resource Family Division is tasked with licensing all families in this region who are interested in becoming a resource for South Carolina’s foster children.

We invite you to open your heart and arms to South Carolina foster children of all ages and demonstrate that your heartfelt calling is to open your home to them. Don’t let our foster children be rejected simply because they have become teens. Embrace teenagers and help lead them into adulthood. Don’t let our children suffer from separation from their brothers and sisters — encircle siblings!

The Region IV Resource Family Division hopes to partner with businesses, schools, civic groups, churches, individuals and other organizations within these communities to assist in recruiting quality resource parents who can assist in our mission to provide them each with a safe and loving home.

If you have specific questions about the Love With No Limits Campaign, you are encouraged to contact the Region IV Resource Family Division at 843-413-6465. For more information on how to become a resource parent, please contact Heartfelt Calling today at 1-888-828-3555 or visit www.heartfeltcalling.org.

April E. Lyerly
Supervisor, S.C. DSS Region IV Licensing
Florence