In an informational meeting that was at once touching, inspiring and troubling, officials from Baltimore County Department of Social Services, concerned citizens and prospective foster parents discussed the need and the process of becoming a foster family last Wednesday at North Point Library.

The meeting is part of an effort to raise awareness of the large local demand for foster families as compared to the dearth of available foster homes. According to Baltimore County Child Welfare Data for 2009/2010, 64 percent of children needing foster care placement in Baltimore County were from the Dundalk area, by far the most of any zip code.

In stark contrast, less than 1 percent of foster homes in the county, however, are in Dundalk. 

Sarah Riker, a social worker for DSS, reported to the audience of 22 gathered at the library that of her 19 cases county-wide, 11 are in Dundalk. DSS representatives went on to explain that a goal of the foster care program is to keep children entering foster care in the community in which they already reside.

While not always possible, DSS seeks to avoid uprooting children from their communities, friends and schools.

Sammi Turner, a lifelong Dundalk resident and a foster parent, spoke about her experience providing a home for a local child.

“You might brush away more tears than you see smiles, but every moment is rewarding,” Turner said. “We need to remove the stigma of foster care. It’s not about bringing someone’s problems into your home," she added. "It’s about opening your heart to a child who needs help.”

The initial panel discussion included Riker, Turner, DSS Foster Care Recruitment Specialist Judith Kuzmak, and Dundalk Community Partnership Representative Katherine Scott. While each of their comments addressed foster care, they also expressed thoughts that expose the reality of larger social ills affecting the Dundalk area, contributing to the high number of foster care cases in 21222.

Scott asked the group, “Do we really know what’s happening with our neighbors anymore? How will we know our neighbors' struggles if we don’t have a human connection with them?”

Above all else, the foster care program seeks to reunite foster care children with their parents who have taken steps to provide a healthy household. This can also mean returning children to an unhealthy community.

“If you return children to an unhealthy community where there are no jobs, easy access to drugs, and where personal safety is in question, the gains made by a foster family can easily be lost,” cautioned Stephanie Chambers, county resident, elected member of the Democratic State Central Committee, and a career social worker with a national nonprofit. “We need to address the problem not only at the family and child level, but at the community level.”

According to Chambers, 84 percent of reported child abuse and neglect cases nationwide are a direct result of substance abuse. While similar data for Baltimore County and Dundalk is not currently available, it was clear to all in attendance that substance abuse is the largest single contributing factor to the large amount of foster care need in the area.

“Substance abuse happens right next door in your neighborhood,” said Riker, echoing the panel’s call for community involvement above and beyond the recruitment of new foster families.

“You can’t complain about Dundalk’s environment if you’re not willing to do something about it. Our children are the innocent victims of all this,” said Turner.

Those in attendance learned of the requirements and processes involved in becoming a foster family.

Ann Boyer, who lives in the Carnegie Platt community, perhaps spoke best for the audience when asked why she attended.

“I love children," Pratt said. "A little bit of attention can make the difference whether a child makes it or not.”

To learn about the requirements and process of becoming a foster family, contact Judith Kuzmak at jkuzmak@dhr.state.md.us  or Nick D’Alesandro at nd’alesandro@dhr.state.md.us.