Arkansas is experiencing a foster care crisis. In order to fix the problem, specifically in Sebastian county, Governor Asa Hutchinson believes awareness is the first step.
Sebastian county is struggling to keep their foster kids near their homes. They’re even resorting to sending them out of state.
Thursday, Mercy hospital and multiple local organizations were called by Gov. Hutchinson to address the growing issue.
“We have a huge crisis in our area. There are almost 800 children in Sebastian county alone that are in foster care,” said Nancy Brisher a trainer with The Call.
Sebastian county has more children in the foster care system than anywhere else in Arkansas. There’s only one foster home for every 8 children.
“Right now we have 200 more kids in Sebastian county in foster care than they do in Pulaski county, so we have a lot of kids,” Glenda Evans, Exec. Director of Sebastian County CASA.
In order to raise awareness to the growing problem, Mercy hospital brought together many important groups from the foster care community to start a real conversation.
“Tonight is that opportunity for people to speak out, and talk about why is it that foster care has gone on in our wonderful state for so long,” said Martin Schreiber, VP of Mission, Mercy Hospital
