Kids that are bounced around, in and out of four schools in one year don't have a bright future.

Many kids in foster care that are not transitioned in to a real life home setting, not an institution surroundings can end up struggling after they hit eighteen. Becoming homeless, having kids that are not in a functional family dynamic and destined to repeat the cycle that no child should have to go thru. I listed to a Houlton Rotary Club speaker at the lunch meeting today who shared lots of statistics.

     Testimonials about the experience like

"When the kids come into care, they are like a tight rosebud, and I get the opportunity to watch them open into a beautiful flower...that's what makes foster parenting good for me."

And "A child we love became a permanent member of our family when we adopted him". The Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc is headquarted at 294 Center Street, Unit I in Old Town Maine 04468. Call them at 1-800-833-9786. Log on www.affm.net  "You have to be flexible, be patient and have a good sense of humor."

     In Maine, approximately 1976 children are currently in the care of the Maine Department Of Health and Human Services. There are today roughly 1240 licensed Maine foster homes.  A total of 296 children in  Maine's DHHS custody were adopted in 2008.  In Maine, according to the 2000 census, over 11,354 children under 18 do not live with a parent. The number nationwide is climbing in this category. Do you have what it takes to be a foster parent? The average age of foster home provides in Maine is 30 to 35. Working folks that want to make a difference and are capable of lots of love. The abilty to open up their home to children that need it desperately in a period of their lives when their biological parents are not able to provide a healthy family home environment for them.

Maine, Folks Take Care Of Each Other Here.