JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Each year thousands of children across the country are placed in foster care because the family they were born into is unable to care for them. As of today, there over 9,100 children in foster care in Tennessee alone.

Camelot, an organization in Campbell County, wants to help those children.

Camelot is also recognizing May as National Foster Care Month.

National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau. Each May is set aside as a take time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. This time can be used to renew a commitment to ensuring a bright future for the more than 407,000 children and youth in foster care across the country, according the Children’s Bureau. In Tennessee alone, there are over 8,000 children in foster care.

 Child development experts agree that having a permanent home and family is key for a child to grow. When a child grows up in an environment with an adult who is committed to their long-term well-being and on whom they can depend, the child is in a better position to succeed.

Unfortunately, too many foster children lack this basic and stable environment to begin their lives and enter the foster care system because of parental abuse, neglect or abandonment. Removing a child from their home can be devastating and confusing for a child of any age, but the more a child is moved within the system, the greater the chance the child will lose contact with siblings, other family members, and other friends and adults who have been important in their lives.

 That is where becoming a therapeutic foster parent through Camelot begins to make the difference.

Once a placement is made Camelot Foster Parents are provided in home support that is tailored around the needs of the child and the home. Classes are free and begin soon.

 For more information about Camelot and Camelot Foster Parenting call (865)272-0013 or visit www.thecamelotdifference.com (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 5/17/22- 6AM)