By BECKY
CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@
cordeledispatch.com

CORDELE — While kids across the country are busy contemplating what they will ask Santa to bring them for Christmas, others are wondering if they will even have a home to call their own.
Currently there are 11,725 children in foster in the State of Georgia alone.
“There are so many children and not enough foster homes,” said “Tara Reese, licensing specialist and interim regional director for Benchmark Family Services. “There is a huge need for foster families in Cordele and the surrounding areas and all over the state of Georgia.”
Benchmark Family Services will be hosting an Information Session on Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 PM at South Georgia Technical College. This is the first step toward training to begin the process of becoming a certified foster parent.
Pre-Service IMPACT Training will begin on Wednesday, December 16 at SGTC Crisp County Center.
If you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent and would like to attend the information session please bring the following;
• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card
• Birth/Marriage/Divorce/Death Certificate
• Auto/Home/Renter’s Insurance
•Obtain local background check (required prior to IMPACT for all household members 18 years of age and older.
“There are so many kids in need,” said Reese. “Please don’t hesitate any longer. A child is always in need of a parent. We are hoping there will be individuals or families that will step up to the challenge and make a difference in a child’s life.”
Reese said if children cannot be placed in foster homes that they go into group homes with an institutionalized setting.
For more information visit www.BenchmarkFamilyServices.org