Wilmington foster care program brings families together amid push for more support, more foster families

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Around a dozen foster children and their families gathered Thursday night at the Harrelson Center in Wilmington for a program centered on support, connection, and community.

The families participated in the Foster Care Wraparound Program, which included activities such as food, painting, and outings for both children and caregivers.

Among those attending was 9-year-old Chris Fields, who said he enjoys the monthly gatherings.

“I love it a lot because we get to paint and we get to run around and play a lot,” Chris said.

The event was held on the same day Gov. Josh Stein signed a proclamation declaring June as Reunification Month, which aims to raise awareness about organizations that support reuniting foster children with their original families.

Groups involved in the effort include the Family Support Network of Southeastern North Carolina and the Foster Pantry, both of which work to support foster children, reunification efforts, and foster families.

Chris’ adoptive mother, Nissa Fields, attended the event, along with her other adopted son, Jaylen, and Hudson, whom she currently fosters.

Fields said the monthly wraparound program has helped her family feel less isolated while navigating foster care.

“This program has helped give me support and community,” Fields said. “We feel very, very isolated a lot of the time. There’s a lot to manage, there’s really big feelings, very happy feelings and very sad feelings through this journey of foster care.”

All three boys are on the autism spectrum, and Christina Ivins, executive director of the Family Support Network, said the program is designed to help families better care for children with specialized needs.

“Families that are supporting kids with special healthcare needs or disabilities or they’re at risk for them, sometimes have additional concerns and additional challenges,” Ivins said. “And to meet those challenges, we’re trying to support the families in team building, in how to communicate with kids that have differing needs.”

Fields said there is still a significant need for more foster families in the area, noting there are just over 50 licensed foster families in New Hanover County.

“There is a ginormous need of more foster families,” Fields said. “There is a lot more foster children than foster families. But there’s other ways to support the foster community too. You do not have to become a foster parent. You could just offer assistance, daycare, respite, babysitting hours, help offer meals when a new placement comes.”

Ivins said the Foster Care Wraparound Program is expected to end next month because New Hanover County is not currently set to continue funding the initiative for another year.

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