CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Fewer children overall are going into foster care in North Carolina but the number of kids entering the system because of parental substance abuse is increasing.

• According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in a five year period the number of children entering foster care due to parental substance abuse increased nearly 26 percent.
• The top three contributing factors for children entering foster care during the five-year-span statewide were alcohol abuse, drug abuse and lack of child development knowledge
• If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, call 704-336-KIDS

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in a five year period the number of children entering foster care due to parental substance abuse increased nearly 26 percent. It went from 1,790 children in fiscal year 2013-2014 to 2,255 in fiscal year 2017-2018.

This upward trend holds true for Lincoln, Stanly and Catawba counties.

The top three contributing factors for children entering foster care during the five-year-span statewide were alcohol abuse, drug abuse and lack of child development knowledge.

In Mecklenburg County, there is a decrease in the number of children who are entering in foster care overall, and the kids who entered the system because of a parental substance abuse.

“Addiction issues are very much an issue in child welfare. However, it has been extremely fortunate for Mecklenburg County, that we have not seen the impact of the opioid addiction that many of the other jurisdictions have seen,” Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Child and Family Services Deputy Department Director Jacqueline McKnight said.

She credits the downward trend to community services offered to families.

“I think that is terrific news for the county in that we are able to address the issues of keeping the family intact as opposed to having children come into care,” McKnight said.

However, when children are in danger and must be placed in foster care, the department is always looking for more families willing to do it.

Lisa Link who is a foster parent in Charlotte has opened her home to over 20 children in the past five years.

“I would say very humbling, enlightening, loving,” Link said.

The 48-year-old said some of the children she has fostered have been neglected or come from families with domestic violence and substance abuse problems.

She encourages other people to become foster parents.

“If you have love and space, the children really need you. These are children who didn’t ask to be in the position they are in, but all they are looking for is love,” Link said.

It may also become a forever home for one of the children. In Link’s case, she adopted Latrell, a child from foster care, who had been at her home for four years.

“I was already in love with him from day one. When they asked me would I like to adopt, I immediately said yes,” Link said.

The adoption became final in the summer.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, call 704-336-KIDS.