This news item expired on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
During the month of November, the Buncombe County Foster Care Program and the Buncombe County Commissioners’ would like to celebrate the adoptive families in our community. “Adoptive families are the lucky families who are able to adopt their foster children,” says Heather Hill-Pavone, Foster Care Social Worker. “While reunification is the primary goal of foster care, adoption is the outcome for some of our foster families.” This year, 35 children in foster care were adopted by their foster families in Buncombe County. The Buncombe County Foster Program and our County Commissioners’ would like to congratulate these adoptive families and honor their example by recognizing November as Adoption Awareness Month in Buncombe County. Commissioners’ will be reading an Adoption Awareness Month proclamation at the Commissioners’ Meeting on Tuesday, November 16th at 5 PM. All Commissioners’ meetings are live-streamed from the Buncombe County Government Facebook page. Tune in to show your support and learn more about adoption and fostering in Buncombe County.
Foster Care and Adoption In Buncombe County
With over 340 young people in foster and extended foster care, children in care in Buncombe County need you now- more than ever. Becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent is one of the most impactful ways that you can help children right here in Buncombe County. Currently, 30 children in Buncombe County Foster Care are cleared for adoption and waiting to find their adoptive families.
The remaining 310 children in care need foster families at home, in Buncombe County. “Imagine being a young person, uprooted from your home community and taken to live at a stranger's house,” says Foster Care Program Manager, Lizzi Shimer. This is the story for over 100 foster children who are currently placed outside of Buncombe County because of the foster parent shortage. Lizzi continues, “Overnight, these kids are taken away from their families, friends, teachers, and everything that’s familiar to them.” Kids who are placed outside their home communities are less likely to be reunified with their biological families and experience more difficulty socially, emotionally, and academically.
Becoming a foster or adoptive parent is a big commitment that requires a lot of preparation and support. Buncombe County HHS offers all foster and adoptive parents the supports and services needed to successfully transition into parenthood. Adoptive parent Amy Huntsman says, “Adopting children has been the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life. A strong community of friends and family here at home made it possible for my girls to find their forever landing spot and connections here in Asheville.”
Showing up for children in Buncombe starts with taking the Foster Parent licensing course. For more information about fostering in Buncombe County and to sign up for your licensing course, visit buncombecounty.org/foster or call (828) 250-5868. To learn more about children who are eligible for adoption in Buncombe County or across the state of North Carolina visit https://www.adoptuskids.org.
Foster Care Wish List
Each year, the Buncombe County Foster Care Team organizes a gift drive for children in foster care in Buncombe County. Bringing a smile to a child’s face this year is easier than ever. Just follow the link below, select the child you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your child would like this holiday season, and drop-off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow-up email in its entirety.
Click here to sponsor a child.