Foster Care for Children :
Provides homes for children who are removed from their natural homes by
the court due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or inability to care for a
child by a parent or caretaker. Foster homes protect children while
parents or social workers work together to resolve the problems that
led to the child's removal. When possible, children are placed in
kinship placements approved by the court and family member. If diligent
efforts fail and children cannot be returned to their parents, they are
placed with relatives or cleared for adoption. Last year 129 children
were provided foster care services. For more information on Foster Care
please click here.
CAUSE:
Is a program developed by frontline Sheriff's detectives and
social workers that receives and investigates physical and sexual abuse
through a team approach. CAUSE serves our children most at risk or harm and works closely with the District Attorney's staff. CAUSE
accepts all abuse and neglect reports for Henderson County. If you have reason to suspect a child is being abused or neglected call (828) 697-5572 or
(828) 697-4911.
Adoption Services:
Available to all residents of Henderson County, our adoption staff
oversee the adoption process from recruiting families to finalizing all
legal matters required for a child's permanence. Forty-one children
were adopted this fiscal year.
Foster Home Licensing/Support Services:
Our
foster home and support staff handle recruitment, training, support
services and supervision of foster homes to assure safe and secure care
for the children of Henderson County. To learn more about becoming a
foster parent please call (828) 694-6252.
Betty and John Edwards Program :
This program provides incentive and assistance to foster parents who
enable a severely disabled child to have permanence through electing to
accept court appointed guardianship.
Spectrum Youth Home :
Spectrum Youth Home is a long-term, foster home facility for youth. The Youth Home provides supportive care and services for both boys and girls in D.S.S. custody. A safe and nurturing environment is available
for foster children who may have been abused and/or neglected. Space is
available for a maximum of nine children. The residential facilities
provide a home-like atmosphere to these youth. For more information on
the Youth Home please click here.
Notice: Free Language assistance services are available and will be provided to those persons identifying themselves as needing such services.