The Wichita NAACP joins with Youthville in an effort to encourage more African American families to become foster parents

Did you know that there are 1,226 children from Sedgwick County who are currently in the guardianship of Youthville (the Child service agency contracted by SRS to handle child placements within the State of Kansas)? Did you know that 50% of the children in Youthville are minorities with 41% listing themselves as Black or Bi-Racial? Did you know that if Youthville placed all of the African American children within the existing African American foster homes, each home would have 12 children?

Of the 356 African American children from Sedgwick County, 47% are sent outside of the county to foster homes in more rural areas of Kansas, most often not of the same cultural background. And of the 147 Bi-Racial children from Sedgwick County, 31% are sent outside of the county to foster homes in more rural areas of Kansas, most often not of the same cultural background.

Several months ago, the Wichita Branch NAACP and Youthville held the first of what has been a series of meetings to discuss the possibilities and options available for increasing the number of extended family and/or culturally compatible placements. This weekend we will begin the first of these efforts.

Saturday, September 1st, in conjunction with the start of the Wichita Black Arts Festival, the Wichita Branch NAACP will begin a new campaign to encourage more African American families to volunteer to become foster parents. This effort is intended to compliment the on-going efforts by Youthville to diversify their pool of Foster families.

The Branch will disseminate information to the community concerning child welfare and adoption issues through forums, e-media, hand-outs, and mailings. New FAQ's and data sheets will be available at the NAACP booth during the Black Arts Festival.

If you or someone you know in the Sedgwick County area may be interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Libby Smith at 800.593.1950, ext 8319

or if you'd simply like more information about Youthville or child placements, you can call 800.593.1950, ext 194