Fort Smith (Feb 28/05) - Leanne Dievert says it's rewarding to be a foster parent.

And the Fort Smith woman should know: she has been a foster parent for about nine years, beginning when she was just 20.

"It's all about opening up your home and opening up your heart," she says.

Over the years, she estimates she has cared for about 20 children, some for a night and some for years.

Currently she fosters three children, including a brother and sister who have been with her for five years.

She also has a two-year-old daughter of her own.

Dievert, who has a diploma in early childhood education, says fostering is for all kinds of families. "You just have to make the time."

Dievert says she loves to watch the children grow.

She first started with two little girls for three years, and admits it was difficult to see them leave.

"That's hard," she says. "You have to go in treating them like they're yours, but they're not."

Dievert says all a foster parent can hope is that the time the children spend with you is good and that you have been a positive part of the their lives.

"When you overcome the challenges, there's nothing more rewarding," she says.

"I would encourage people to try it," Dievert says. "There's definitely a need."