Local Department of Human Resources personnel and other family care professionals gathered recently for a brief ceremony proclaiming May as National Foster Care Month. The ceremony was held in front of the Cherokee County Administration Building to make citizens aware of the need for more foster care families.

Some 45 balloons were released in honor of the 45 children who are currently in foster care in Cherokee County.

“We want to show too that Cherokee County is not immune to children being placed in foster care in settings where they are not with their families,” said Felicia Smith, licensed social worker with Cherokee County DHR. “Although some children are with their families, there’s a lot that are not. Out of the 45 children, there are approximately six children that are actually in out of county placement. That is because of the need of more foster homes in our county.”

Currently, there are only 14 approved foster homes in Cherokee County, Smith said.

Throughout May, a display with wooden statues of children has been placed in front of the Cherokee County Courthouse which will represent children in foster care. A display consisting of tree with children’s hands will also be displayed in front of the Cherokee County Administration Building throughout the month.

“If anybody asks about the hands, please let them know that hands are foster children that are in foster care that need safe homes so they get the love and safety that they need,” said Smith.

After sharing a few words, DHR personnel released the 45 balloons in recognition of local foster children.

“There are so many different avenues that you can take being a foster parent,” said Smith. “We are just trying to get the word out because we need more foster homes in our county.”