Life Management Center pushing for more foster families

PANAMA CITY — Over the last few months, 15 toddlers under the age of 1 have been admitted into foster care locally.

With an influx of foster children, there is still a shortage of foster families in Bay County. According to Andrea Ziglar, Dependency Program Manager for Bay County, the removal process is still the same even after Hurricane Michael.

“Substance abuse and domestic violence are still the two major reasons for children being placed in foster care,” said Ziglar. “It has always been the case before the storm and even now.”

According to Ziglar, Bay County is one of the highest counties in the state of Florida in regards to domestic violence and substance abuse. She did mention that it has been harder to place children since after the storm.

“The hurricane has created barriers when it comes to placing (foster children) in homes,” said Zigler. “Relatives have moved out of the area and it’s made it harder to place them.”

For the Life Management Center, taking in 15 babies in a few months is unusual.

“There is a spike in removal for infants and it doesn’t happen a lot in this short of a time period,” Vicki Whitaker, Foster Family Support Supervisor said. “Right now we have 72 foster homes and we would like to get it over 100.”

The Life Management Center will be conducting Adoptive and Foster Home Training starting Jan. 13 and it will run through Feb. 24, 2020. Classes will be held at Palo Alto Church of Christ and the classes will be once a week from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.