Foster Children Need Foster Families, Learn More on Meet Cortland County!

John Harrison: [00:00:00] Good morning everybody. It’s John Harrison back for another edition of Meet Cortland County on X101. Joining me in the studio today. Very special guest, Courtney from the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference. Courtney, thanks so much for joining. 
Courtney: Yeah, thank you for having me. 
John Harrison: Of course. Well, you know, when we got the call, uh, you know, wanting to appear on Meet Cortland County and the specific subject matter, you know, we, we kind of knew we, we had to get you on here and for me it’s something a little close to home, but, uh, you know, we’re talking about foster care.
Courtney: Yeah, foster care is, um, it can be a heavy topic for some people, but New York State is in a huge crisis finding suitable foster homes, especially for teens and sibling sets, um, in Central New York. 
John Harrison: Yeah, definitely. And you know, growing up a lot, a lot of my cousins actually. Came to our family through the foster system.
Um, and so I, I think it’s something super important, especially being able to, to grow and build families. And like you said, you know, being able to keep siblings together is, is super important. Um, but it’s, it’s such a, a big and daunting, uh, problem. You know, I think a lot of the reason people [00:01:00] aren’t, you know, fostering too much, is that it. Where do you even start? So, you know, where do you suggest, like, you know, what’s kind of like a little bit of background, some, some easy first steps information. 
Courtney: Absolutely. So my job as the home finder with the foster care program is to recruit foster parents. I train and license them through New York State, and then I match youth to appropriate homes after they’re removed from their birth families.
I also provide support to the licensed foster parents throughout their entire foster care journey. Uh, where they can start is just by contacting me here at the Cortland office, and I’ll provide my contact information towards the end. But, at the end of the month, Wednesday, May 28th at 6:00 PM, I’ll be having a large scale information session, inviting people into my office, providing snacks and some beverages just to discuss foster care, foster parenting, the whole process, the program that we have and what we offer, and the other programs. ‘Cause, the children’s home isn’t just foster care, it’s, um, a family serving agency that just [00:02:00] wants children and families to be successful. 
John Harrison: Yeah, and um, so you know, you mentioned a little bit of like the, the, um, process of becoming a a, a foster parent. There’s, uh, a little bit of training and and stuff that goes into it. You wanna talk a little bit about that? 
Courtney: Sure. So there’s a couple of requirements. It’s nothing too crazy. You have to be 21 years old. Um, you must be able to pass the background check and a couple other clearances. Uh, again, if there’s something from your past and um, you’re not sure it’s best to just call and ask anyway.
People with lived experience tend to be amazing foster parents, and if you’ve experienced something in the legal system or family court, you might be able to help out a foster child or even birth families and partnering with them to help them be successful. So. You might be embarrassed about that past, but it’s okay to ask just to see if you would pass the background check.
There’s also the 10 week course, it’s typically one night a week. Um, I usually have them about 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and their virtual or in person, depending [00:03:00] on the group. And throughout that whole 10 weeks we talk about trauma and attachment, how to best help the birth families, how to best help the youth, and how you can be resilient and help these kids through probably the toughest parts of their life. 
John Harrison: Yeah, for sure. Um, and yeah, all that, that, you know, the background stuff doesn’t sound like too hard to clear, but I’d say it’s like, just enough that you’re making sure you’re getting the right people in it, uh, for the job.
But you know, folks, for anyone out there on the fence or you know, even considering it, or maybe it’s just been in the back of your mind for a couple of years. Uh, one night a week for 10 weeks. Pass a background check. Be 21 years old. I’m sure plenty of you are, are able to clear that hurdle and, you know, do something fantastic that’ll really help out, you know, and change lives and, and, and really benefit the community.
Courtney, is there, you know, anything else, uh, that you, you feel is, you know, important to talk about right now? Anything else you wanna share? 
Courtney: Sure. 
John Harrison: Any kind of next steps thing? 
Courtney: Yeah, so for me, the people that I’m looking for to provide foster care are [00:04:00] people that are kind, loving, committed, they’re patient, uh, realistic about kids appreciate diversity and have a sense of humor.
Uh, having a sense of humor is the most important part for me ’cause I think a laugh can make a day a whole lot better. Um, and I also want to tell people out there that are on the fence or they’re thinking that. They’re gonna get too attached to kids and them reunifying with their families is going to be too hard for them.
I want them to know that if your fear of getting attached is what’s stopping you from doing this, that it probably means you’re gonna be a fantastic foster parent. ’cause these kids deserve attachment and they deserve people that love them and want to be around them. 
John Harrison: Yeah, definitely. And I, I’ve, I’ve seen, you know, stories of, of people in the past where either it is that fear of getting attached, that kind of stops them or like, um, you know, they kind of do get into it and they do get attached, but it’s those attachments that really change, uh, the lives and, you know, really [00:05:00] separate you.
From, you know, just kind of being a roof over their head to being a true, you know, loving family and influence. Um, but you did hear, hear from Courtney. If you’re not funny, you should probably move on. Just kidding. They’ll, they’ll, you know, they’ll, they’ll take as long as you, you can be a good, loving, caring person. Right? 
Courtney: Absolutely. 
John Harrison: Um, and yeah, so, you know, we’re, we’re starting to run a little bit at a time, um, but if you wanted to share some of that contact information so people know. Who to reach out to, where to go when they can get to you. Um, and also mention the details of the event you got coming up at the end of the month again.
Courtney: Absolutely. So again, my name is Courtney. I’m the Home Finder. You can reach me at (607) 743-2185 or you can text. And then the event that we’re having is again Wednesday, May 28th at 6:00 PM at 165 South Main Street, Cortland, New York in our office. We’ll be having some light snacks and beverages, and there’ll be a presentation on foster care at the process, foster parenting, and any other questions that you might have.
You can [00:06:00] ask and they’ll be answered there at that event. If you’d like to go, you can again call me to register for the event and my number again, (607) 743-2185. 
John Harrison: Alright. Well Courtney, thank you so much for joining us for a wonderful edition of Meet Cortland County. It’s been a pleasure having you in the studio.
Courtney: Thank you so much. 
John Harrison: Of course. And for everyone listening at home, it’s been John Harrison on X101.