Fostering hope: The Importance of foster families in our community

Marcus blowing bubbles at the Free Foster Care Fest (Photo by Marnie Cook)

By Marnie Cook
Native Sun News Today Correspondent

RAPID CITY – Every child deserves a safe and loving home. However, for a variety of reasons, some children in the Black Hills community find themselves in need of temporary out-of-home care. That is where foster families step in to provide stability and support during challenging times. However, there’s a shortage of foster homes. Hoping to recruit new foster families, the Children’s Home Society (CHS) of South Dakota sponsored the Free Foster Care Fest recently at Main Street Square.
Representatives from CHS and its supporting programs, the Department of Social Services Child Protection for Stronger Families (DSS), Lutheran Social Services (LSS), and Abbot House had set up booths to inform visitors as parents and children came to play, learn, and support the umbrella of organizations dedicated to the health of the community’s children.
Nichole Knepp, the Assistant Director at CHS said the need for foster homes in the Black Hills area is great. “On any given day, there are around 50 local children in foster care who do not have an appropriate placement. Some end up sleeping in offices, hotels, or an out-of-home facility away from family-like environments, because we don’t have foster homes for them. This is why recruiting new foster families is important.”
Knepp said that foster care is designed to be a temporary solution, with the goal of either reunifying children with their biological families, if it is safe to do so, or finding them a permanent adoptive home. The average length of time a child spends in foster care locally is around 12-18 months. During this period of transition, foster parents play a vital role in helping children heal from past trauma and continue growing into happy, healthy individuals.
Many people don’t understand fostering, but Knepp said CHS is helping people with awareness and education. Knepp doesn’t deny the challenges. These children have experienced abuse, neglect, traumatic life events, and often, the loss of their family. Some may have serious medical issues. Many have self-isolated to avoid being hurt again. Because of that, they have difficulty managing their emotions and may present challenging behaviors. These barriers can hinder meaningful connections and personal growth.
Guest speaker District 27 Representative Peri Pourier, addressing the small but attentive crowd, said it takes a village. “It sounds like a cliché, but it takes more than just a mom. It takes more than just a dad. It takes a whole community to really come together on days like this and say, ‘we are going to commit every single year on this day to put our children first,’ and when I say ‘our children’ I’m talking about every child. Because every child deserves safe, loving environments where they can focus on being a kid. If you really want to keep your heart on how your community is doing, look at your kids. How are your kids? Do your kids get to play? Or do they look stressed?” asked Pourier.
“It does take a village,” Knepp nodded in agreement. “We struggle to find families that want to take on the challenges that come with the trauma that these children have gone through. We have to start somewhere to make our community aware. They don’t have to fully commit but they can get involved a little bit at a time. They can get their feet wet, understand the process and maybe then they will decide to become licensed.”
Despite the difficulties, foster parents find the rewards are well worth it. “Seeing the smiles of children who are finally safe and cared for makes all the hard times fade away,” said Pourier “Even if it’s just for a short time, you get to make a difference in a child’s life story.”
To become a foster parent, individuals or families must complete pre-service training to understand the foster care system, learn parenting strategies for trauma-impacted children, and ensure their home meets safety standards. The Children’s Home Society provides ongoing training, support groups and case management assistance to help foster parents every step of the way.
Financial assistance is also available to help offset the costs of caring for foster children, such as food, clothing, school supplies and activities. Kinship caregivers – relatives who foster family members – may qualify for additional benefits. However, the most meaningful form of support comes from the community.

Representative Peri Pourier speaking at the Free Foster Care Fest (Photo by Marnie Cook)

“We need people who can occasionally help by providing a meal, doing some light housework or babysitting so foster parents can recharge,” said Knepp. “While fostering may seem intimidating, many find the experience profoundly rewarding in unexpected ways. ”
Many of the children on foster care are Native American. Pourier said foster parents have a unique opportunity to help Native children stay connected to their roots. “You are a bridge between their past and their future. When a Native American child can grow up with a strong connection to their culture, they gain a sense of pride and self-esteem.”
“With over 50 children in our community still waiting for foster homes, more families are needed to open their hearts – and their doors.” Knepp said with the right training and support system in place, almost any caring family can provide children with safety, stability, and hope during difficult times. “If you have a loving home to share, please consider becoming a foster parent. You could change a life forever.”
Recently, the Children’s Home Society has partnered with the Friends of Children He Sapa. Friends is a local chapter of a national branch based in Oregon. South Dakota News Watch says the local organization focuses specifically on Indigenous boys and girls from Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Reservation.
“Every family that steps up to foster makes our community stronger by investing in the future of our most vulnerable citizens – our children. Let’s celebrate our children,” said Pourier, “and the culture that they come from, so that they are connected, and they can overcome any challenge that they face in their lives.”

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

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