CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. -- There's a push for more foster parents in Cumberland County, which has one of the highest rates of foster children in our state.

  • 850 children in system but only 72 licensed families
  • Other agencies may need to assist 
  • Information meeting on third Thursday of every month

Right now, there are over 850 children in the system, but there are only 72 licensed foster families with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services that are able to take them in. 

"If we don't have placements available within our community, we have to start looking with other agencies who may step in and assist," said Julie Mullan, with the Department of Social Services. "Often times, placements that we find may be all over the state of North Carolina, and in extreme circumstances, we can even have children who are placed outside of North Carolina."

Informational meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at noon and 6:30 p.m. at the Department of Social Services building at 1225 Ramsey Street.

It typically takes around nine months to become a licensed foster parent in Cumberland County.