The South Carolina Department of Social Services has seen a huge increase on children entering the foster care program.
The problem that DSS has encountered, is that more sibling groups are entering the system. Now, they’re working to find 57 foster families in Darlington County.
“We never want to split them up, a lot of times they are their own comfort and support. When they enter care a lot of times. is not their fault,” said Program Coordinator, Kacie Wingate.
Rachel Ragan and her husband became foster parents a year ago. They have two biological children and currently two foster siblings.
“Their needs are so simple. They need encouragement, kind words, a hug, and cozy bed,” said Ragan.
Almost 100 children have entered the foster care system in Darlington, that number is up by 27% in just a year. According to DSS, there aren’t enough homes for siblings to be placed together. Now, children are being placed outside the county and having a hard time adjusting to a new community.
“To be seperated from your sibling, you don’t have anything with you that has been part of your life or normal to you in anyway,” said Wingate.
DSS says, most children are placed in the system because of their parents’ drug abuse or financial problems. They need more families like the Ragans, and they’re trying to recruit more parents.
“To all the families that say, I just don’t know if I can emotionally handle loving them and then letting them go, please apply,” said Wingate.
Here’s the link with more information on becoming a foster care parent https://www.scfamilies.org
