WBFO 88.7 FM Public Radio

• April 28, 2009, Buffalo --

The troubled economy has led to a decrease in the number of foster parents in the Buffalo area. Tuesday night, one local agency will actively recruit people who are interested in caring for children in need.

Right now, there are dozens of children ranging in age from three months to 20-years awaiting placement in foster homes. Kevin Burke, director of Children's Services at Child and Family Services in Buffalo, says the economy is making it difficult to place them.

So, Child and Family Services is holding an informational open house starting at 5:30pm at its facilities at 844 Delaware Avenue to recruit potential foster parents. It is, indeed, more difficult to place teens than toddlers in foster care. But Burke says there are some exceptional teens who would bring joy to any home.

Burke said by the end of the open house, they hope to have targeted 10 to 20 prospective foster parents to undergo screening and training.

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