Georgia faces a critical shortage of foster families, org says

ATLANTA - The foster care system in Georgia is facing a critical shortage, according to one nonprofit organization sounding the alarm about the strain on resources and families. 

Wellroot Family Services, a 501(c) nonprofit based in Tucker, said the number of foster homes in its network has dropped by 60% since 2021.

"There are over 10,000 children in the state of Georgia in foster care," Carol Hill, a spokesperson of Wellroot Family Services, said. "And there is a great need in our community."

This shortage means many children are left without stable homes, and sometimes, children must compete for beds.

Ana Praet, a foster mother from Flowery Branch, said she was more than willing to open her home to children in need. 

"I’m a mom, I’m a grandma. I have a house. I still have a lot of life in me," Praet said. "And I think that I’m still able to give a lot. So, I chose to keep on giving."

Since the pandemic, the decline in foster families has been dramatic. "Since COVID, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in families willing to step up and provide foster care support," Hill said.

Wellroot Family Services has seen a 60% decline in licensed foster homes, a trend consistent across the state. While the organization has quadrupled the number of people it has helped since the pandemic, the shortage continues to impact the children the most.

"While it may sound daunting, the foster parents that I’ve spoken with just talk about how it’s such a gift to them," Hill said.

Hill emphasized that successful foster families come in all shapes and sizes — they can be young or old, with children of their own or none at all.

To learn about the resources and support Wellroot provides to families interested in fostering, you can visit their website: wellroot.org/