BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The lack of foster families is a nationwide problem that is also being felt here in Erie County.
Over 1,000 children need foster care but there are not enough families to assist all the children, said Stacy Wilson from Child & Family Services' Foster Care and Adoption Program.
Wilson said babies to school-age children are in need of foster parents for periods ranging from two to three years.
Substance abuse and mental health issues by parents are some of the main reasons why children are put into foster care.
Child & Family Services holds information sessions about being a foster parent on the second Wednesday of the month. You can also call for more information at (716) 882-0555.
7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly spent the day covering a couple from Lancaster/Depew, Cindy and Jeffrey Moore, who decided to adopt two of the children they are fostering.
The Moore's have spent the past three years fostering several children.
During a proceeding in Erie County Family Court, Honorable Margaret Szczur made it official giving a soon to be five-year-old boy, Matthew, and a three-year-old girl, Makaila, a forever family of their own.
After successfully adopting the two children they had been fostering, the Moore's told Ed Reilly that they will continue to foster other children in the future.
You can watch the big moment when the adoption was made final in the attached video clip.
