Foster parents needed, classes set

By Doug Russell, News Editor

STIGLER, July 23 — From newborn to 18, children of every race, religion and culture are in need of foster parents all across the country, and Haskell County is no different.

“We need them right here, right now,” said Tom Bailes, foster care specialist for Haskell and Latimer counties.

In fact, approximately 40 Haskell County youth are in foster care at any given time. “It ranges from 35 to 50, back and forth,” Bailes said. “I lose several homes a year through adoptions. A lot of times, the foster parents will adopt the kids, then they don’t want to be foster parents, at least not for a while.”

Bailes is asking for anyone interested in being a foster parent to call 1-800-638-3641 to sign up for foster parenting classes, which will begin on Aug. 4 at the Kiamichi Technology Center in Stigler. Foster parents can be single or married but must be at least 21 and must pass a background check.

More than 12,000 Oklahoma children were placed in foster care by district courts last year, in order to protect the children from abuse and neglect.

For a complete list of requirements to become a foster parent with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, visit the Web site at 222.okdhs.org.

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