RALEIGH, N.C. — Just a few years ago Cristiana Amato and her husband were looking to adopt, but a church service and a calling changed their plans. 

What You Need To Know

  •  North Carolina has lost over 1,000 foster homes since 2020

  •  Some counties have had to house children in county offices while finding homes for them

  •  Many current foster homes are at full capacity, according to state standards

“We weren’t looking into foster care," Amato said. "Then we took the classes for adoption, and we felt like foster care was exactly what we were called to do.”

Four years later and over a dozen foster care kids later, Amato says that she wouldn’t change a thing. 

“That has been challenging with some children, has been rewarding with other children, but they have all been a blessing," Amato said.

The couple has fostered in a number of counties in North Carolina. 

They say their current county of Johnston County has been the most helpful. 

While the Amatos say they do the best they can to provide for the kids, help from the county and others is important for foster families. 

“If we have issues with the children, it’s good to have therapists available to help figure out what’s going on with the children," Donal Amato said. "So being very supportive, the social workers and the county itself is very good to have.” 

When the Amatos heard about the children having to sleep in county offices waiting to be placed, they say they wanted to help, but right now they can’t.

“It completely broke my heart. We’ve gotten calls, but we don’t have the room," Cristiana Amato said. "We just don’t have anymore, because we are at max as per the state. It breaks my heart every day. I even post about it on our blog that it breaks my heart.” 

The state has lost over 1,000 foster homes since 2020 and is in need of more. While Amato says she encourages everyone to look into it, she says it’s a tough calling. 

“It breaks our heart, but then we get other kids to love on," Amato said. "So if you’re ready to get your heart broken but also help in ways you could never understand, foster care is definitely something to look into. 

Amato also runs a blog, A Feathered Nest, where she talks about fostering and shares her own stories, which is a great resource for understanding what foster care looks like for parents. 

If you’re looking for more info you can head over to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for more info on adoption and fostering.