Alaska Representative Makes a Call for More Foster Parents

On Thursday, Alaska lawmaker Les Gara spoke out on the pressing issue of an underfunded foster care system. Currently, there are as many as 2,800 Alaska children in need of homes, and an estimated 1,400 licensed homes.
Gara implores Alaska families to consider opening their doors to these children, who age out of the foster care system at eighteen. Individuals who age out of foster care run a greater risk of discontinuing their education or becoming homeless. To combat the issue, Gara calls upon the citizens of Alaska for help: “We need foster parents badly, we need adoptive parents badly.”
Alaska families who wish to become foster parents can contact the Alaska Center for Resource Families.
References:

• “‘We need foster parents badly’ lawmaker calls for more support of Alaska foster children” – KTUU
• “Foster care needs continue to rise in Alaska” – KTVA Alaska
• “Alaska’s child protectors are overwhelmed, poorly managed, understaffed” – Alaska Dispatch News