Nipissing and Parry Sound areas in dire need of more foster parents

Thursday marked ‘Dress Purple Day’ at Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Child and Family well-being agencies across Ontario.

The day is about highlighting the role communities play in supporting the safety and well-being of children, youth and families.

It comes at a time when the Children’s Aid Society of Nipissing and Parry Sound is in desperate need of more foster parents.

“What we’re calling for is anybody who can give any level of commitment,” said Jennifer Rokos, a resource department worker.

Currently in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts, more than 60 children and youth are supported by the Children’s Aid Society.

More than half of them are under the age of 10 and more than 20 children and youth are currently placed outside their communities, away from family, schools, and other support.

“We don’t want that to happen. We know that that’s not in the best interest of children. So, becoming a foster parent is really helpful and extremely important,” Rokos added.

“It can be really worthwhile and very giving, but it doesn’t fit everybody’s lifestyle.”

Later this month, the Children’s Aid Society is celebrating Foster Parent Appreciation Week. It’s a time when the CAS will recognize the commitment and care foster families provide.

“Every person in Ontario has a role to support children and their families. It’s a shared responsibility across schools, health care, social services, justice sectors and neighborhoods,” said Lissa Clowater, supervisor of resources for the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound.

The urgent need for more foster parents is not just in the districts, but across the province. It started when the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weakness in several health and wellness services across the province.

Profound impact

One of the main concerns right now is ensuring children are protected from substance use challenges.

“We deal every day with families, with parents who are homeless, who are dealing with addiction, with mental health issues,” Clowater told CTV News.

“The impact that that’s having on their children is extremely profound.”

Foster care includes full-time, part-time and short-term relief caregivers, even people who can offer transportation, mentorship, and practical help.

There’s been a shift in the foster parent demographic.

“Older couples and older ladies who stayed at home, that’s not what we’re seeing anymore,” Rokos said.

“We’re really seeing kind of younger people coming on board, people who have never parented before, even single parents … Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community -- all sorts of people coming forward now. But we need more of them.”

The Children’s Aid Society is also actively recruiting for a live-in house parent for its North Bay-based transitional care home.