Fort Simpson (Feb 03/06) - More foster homes are urgently needed across the Deh Cho, according to Connie McNab.

McNab, the regional foster care co-ordinator with Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said across the region there are approximately 20 homes providing foster care.

Maurice Tanche and Hazel Isiah have been offering foster care in Fort Simpson for more than eight years. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Between 30 to 35 homes are needed in order to provide sufficient care for children and respite for foster families, she said.

"It's coming down to a critical part," said McNab. "We've been lucky so far."

Some foster parents have been providing care for more than 10 years. McNab said they are a solid group, but more are needed.

"It takes a special kind of person to open their hearts and homes and love everything about a child," said McNab.

There are three types of fostering. If suitable family members or someone close to the child can be found they give provisional extended family foster care.

"We try to keep kids as comfortable as possible," said McNab and being with someone familiar helps.

Emergency foster care is given for children who don't have a placement. It can last between 48 hours and a week. Regular foster homes take in children at any time, many on a long-term basis, McNab said.

The process to become a foster parent can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month.

Steps include a medical and criminal record checks, filling out an application and signing a foster home agreement with an oath of confidentiality.

A home study is conducted for regular foster homes. For extended family there is a provisional home study, said McNab.

In Fort Simpson, Hazel Isiah and Maurice Tanche have been providing short-term and emergency foster care for at least eight years.

"The kids need help," said Tanche.

"I just see them as being hurt all the time and I want them to be safe."

But fostering can be difficult.

"It's not all beds of roses, sometimes there's tears," Isiah said.

When children come into their home there is always an adjustment period on both sides as they get used to each other's routines. The foster children are fitted into the family and their activities, like hockey, are worked around, said Isiah.

Isiah and Tanche have four children of their own who help out.

"They're pretty good, they've adjusted to having other kids in the house," she said.

Part of fostering is reassuring the children that they are safe and it's not their fault they are away from home, said Isiah.

"The bottom line about fostering is I like children," Isiah said.