Douglas Co. in Desperate Need of Foster Parents

SUPERIOR - "When they come in here, it's like they're our kids," foster parent Allen Heinonen said. "They're loaned to us I feel,” foster parent Nancy Heinonen said. “They're loaned to us to love to take care of."For the past 13 years, the Heinonen’s home has provided a place of refuge for kids who have been abused and neglected."Some of them the kids are kind of scared and they're hiding," said Allen."We don't care we'll take them,” said Nancy. “They can't be left out they have to be somewhere."But that attitude and foster homes, like the Heinonen’s, are becoming rare in Douglas County.The area could use at least 15 more foster homes."For 2 or 3 days when we first take kids into custody we need homes and for more longer term up to 6 months to 2 years," Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services Intake and Assessment Supervisor Doreen Wehmas said.The number of foster homes is so low in Douglas County that 17 out of 36 kids currently in care had to be shipped to in other counties hours away from homes and what they know."Let's say they have to go to another school, then they have to learn a new city and a whole new set of different rules," Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services Foster Care Coordinator Ryan Conlan said.Social workers say anyone can be a foster parent.  They look for people who care about the well–being and safety of children."You can be married or single it doesn't matter," said Wehmas."People that are just selfless and charitable," said Conlan.The Heinonens say at times the job can be quite an undertaking, but the reward is even greater."Become a foster parent, do something to help give back,” said Nancy.“You treat them like they're your own kids," said Allen."Have kids ever come back and said thank you to you,” FOX 21's Maya Holmes asked."Oh yes," replied the Heinonens.Training is also available for people who want to become foster parents.If anyone is thinking of opening up their home, they can call Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services for more information at (71) 394-1304.In 2013, Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services received a little more than 1,200 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.