Foster families needed

APPLETON - Ten-year-old J.O. has been in foster care for a year and a half.

On Thursday, Rich and Jaye Kuranda came to court hoping to make J.O. their son.

“When you see a need, you just jump in and do what you need to do,” said Jaye.

J.O. and his brother live with the Kurandas, as part of the foster care system. It's a program where children are placed in temporary homes if the parents or guardians cannot legally provide that care.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, 8,000 children receive foster care in homes across the state every year. In Outagamie and Calumet counties, 81 children are in foster care.

“Very young children, middle age children and teenagers who need care. Sibling groups. And we are running out of resources,” said Bridget Wirtz, foster care coordinator.

Wirtz says potential families are screened and licensed before they can foster any children. 93 homes cover the entire two county area. Wirtz says those homes may not always provide a perfect fit for a particular foster situation.

“In the majority of situations, what the children want most is to be returned to their family. They love their families. They just want the neglect and abuse to stop,” said Wirtz.

Judge Gregory Gill signed the order, and now Jayqon Owens is the newest member of the Kuranda family.

“They were in a situation where we needed to help. It started out as a part-time thing. From there, it's grown to now, he's my son,” said Rich.

Jayqon’s response, “Excited and happy.”

“We followed the system through with the foster care and now the adoption. We are so happy to bring them into our lives,” said Jaye.

Outagamie County's Health and Human Services Department will hold an information session at its Appleton office on May 31. Click here for more information on that session.