New Hanover Co. sees drop in foster homes despite fewer children in care

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY-TV) – Over the past five years, New Hanover County has seen a growing need for licensed foster care homes. While the number of children in foster care has dropped, so too have the number of families that can take care of them.

“It’s been challenging but there have been a number of rewards,” said Tiffany Cook.

Cook and her husband have been licensed foster care parents for a little over three years in New Hanover County.

“My husband and I knew that we could provide a safe and stable home for children when they really needed it the most,” Cook said.

The Cook family is just one of 55 licensed foster families with the county and since 2023 have taken in six children which have come like siblings to their 8-year-old daughter.

“She’s also learned patience from it, going from an only child to having additional kids in the home,” Cook said.

However, the Cook’s are among a dwindling number of foster families in New Hanover County. Five years ago, the county had 86 licensed foster homes and by 2026 that number had dropped more than 44%.

“We are always in need of more foster families,” said Alice Moore, child placement unit supervisor with New Hanover County.

Moore said this drop in foster care homes began after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There was a year where we couldn’t train families and then families went through their own hardships during Covid whether it was health issues, job issues, family issues, moving away,” said Moore.

When a home in New Hanover County is not available, the child is placed in another county which can cause more separation from their family, community, friends and school. Despite a lack in foster homes, since 2021, New Hanover County has seen a 53% drop in the number of foster care children.

Moore said the county has prioritized familial ties to keep children in the county.

“I think we do a better job at finding relatives for kids, and our goal is to always keep them with their families, neighbors, church members, connections in their home communities,” said Moore.

To become a foster parent, the licensing process includes a 30 hour training course, multiple background checks, a home study and while there is no minimum income required, a family must be able to meet financial obligations.

Cook said the best part of being a foster parent is seeing a child reunited with their family.

“And so even after having kids in our home for a year to a year and a half, that day that they get to go back home to their parents and loving family is really the most rewarding thing,” said Cook.

Click here to learn more about how to become a foster care parent.