County foster parents, respite caregivers recognized at April 11 event
On March 11, Taylor County Human Services hosted a Resource Parent and Caregiver Appreciation Dinner at Marilyn’s in Medford. The event celebrates the work done by those in foster care and the other resource caregiver providers.
According to Julie Clarkson, who coordinated the Children and Family Services for Taylor County Human Services program for the county’s Human Services Department, the event has changed from in the past when it was targeted just toward foster parents.
“The state is asking that we move toward a practice of not just caring for a child, but really embracing working with the family and being a “resource” in supporting a well-rounded child,” Clarkson said.
As a result the event included recognition for not only foster parents, but those who also provide kinship and respite care.
According to Clarkson there were 19 children placed into foster care in 2023. This number does not include the number that were in respite. She said the trends they are seeing are that those in foster care program are due to family issues with drugs, domestic violence and neglect among parents and for youth aggressive behaviors.
According to Clarkson, foster parents play a vital role in the system and she especially noted the work of Carol and Dan Beyer of Medford who have been foster parents for the past 20 years.
“Twenty some years ago, the Beyer family came to us, willing to become foster parents. Little did they know, we would keep them pretty full for the next 20 years,” Clarkson said.
Over those 20 years, the Bayers had 30 children placed in their care for foster care. The longest placements were for 4.5 years, three years and two years. They also three adoptions.
Over the years, they have worked with 14 case workers in addition to Tammy Schreiber, Foster Care Coordinator for Taylor County Human Services.
“Carol, thank you so much for always answering the phone and saying yes and thank Dan for accepting Carol’s inability to say “no,” Clarkson said, presenting them with recognition of 20 years as foster parents.
“Taking care of another person’s child, family or not, is a big task. But it’s important. It might be the first time a child has a real bed or regular access to food. Yes, that sounds extreme, but it is stuff that we have seen right here in Taylor County. Please remember that the work that you do is important. It is important to us, it is important to the community and it is important to each and every child you take in. Imagine the impact you are making, one child at a time,” Clarkson said.
Schreiber also introduced members of the team at Human Services who work with the families and caregivers. She also shared her goodbyes, explaining that she would be leaving the county for a new position in another state and that she would be replaced by Kala Thompson as the Children and Family Services Supervisor.
“I attended a training several months ago and the judge at the training said, ‘You can’t help 100 children unless you start with one.’ So, tonight I say, “you cannot get to 20 years and 30 children unless you start with one,” Clarkson said.
