UPDATE ON LOCAL FOSTER CARE RECRUITMENT
August Session of the Board of County Commissioners for St.Joseph County
Probate Judge Thomas Shumaker stated that on June 21, 2010 the Board approved $20,000 to improve
foster care recruitment. There were no specifics at that time and the group that has been meeting focused their
energies on 5 areas. He is recommending that funds be allocated to these 5 areas as follows:
1 - Recruitment materials and services - $2,500
2 - Licensing assistance - $1,000
3 - Support group - $6,000
4 - Respite - $1,000
5 - Public relations - $500
The group decided to begin focusing their recruitment in the faith based community.
Pam Smith, a foster/adoptive parent gave a presentation with a power point regarding her experience in
foster parenting. The presentation was directed to the faith based community.
Judge Shumaker stated that while their focus, at first, is to the faith based community, they would like to
eventually make presentations to service clubs and organizations.
They are trying to recruit foster parents, but they also would like to solicit people that could be supportive
to families that have foster kids like providing meals or babysitting the kids so that the parents could have some
time to themselves.
Mrs. Smith stated during her presentation that we all need to “aspire to inspire before you expire.” She said
that we can save these kids one at a time.
Judge Shumaker stated that they want to move slowly through this process and will stick with the faith
based community first and work out any bumps that may come along. They do not want to do too much too soon.
He said that Bethany Christian Services is also recruiting foster parents and they are a part of their focus group as
is DHS , CA
It was moved by Commissioner Dobberteen and supported by Commissioner Shaffer that the $11,000 be
allocated to the foster care recruitment program as requested by Judge Shumaker.
Commissioner Dobberteen stated that this program is much better than continuing to write $80,000 checks
to the Department of Human Services. He is glad that the community is stepping up.
Chairman Dunlap is impressed with Judge Shumaker’s efforts to put this together. The group has some
concrete ideas to achieve a goal.
Commissioner Shaffer commended Judge Shumaker and the focus group.
Judge Shumaker stated that he believes that the group needs judicial leadership but there is a fine line being
a Judge at the same time. Since April 15th of this year many kids have been released from the system.
Chairman Dunlap is glad that everyone is working in one direction now.
Judge Shumaker further stated that the settlement of a few years ago was wrong costing the County so
much money.
