National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau dedicated to increasing awareness of foster care challenges and honoring those who support vulnerable children and families.

In Clark County, approximately 3,000 children are in foster care on any given day. Most critically, two out of three kids enter the Clark County foster care system with siblings, creating family groups of two to eight or more children spanning various ages and developmental stages. Unfortunately, around 58% of the time, brothers and sisters get separated and placed in different foster homes. This separation compounds trauma for children already experiencing significant disruption in their lives.  

The community has heard the call to support children in foster care. Since May of 2024, Clark County Family Services has increased the number of available beds for children in care by 100 new beds. In 2024, CCFS saw a dramatic increase in the number of families willing to care for siblings, with 83 families licensing for two or more beds, increasing the County’s ability to keep siblings together. Despite this encouraging progress, Clark County faces a significant shortage. During foster parent training, offered by Raise the Future, participants learn crucial skills for supporting children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect.  

“We still need about 250-300 more foster homes to meet the needs of our children in foster care. All of our kids belong in families. They deserve opportunities to build supportive, caring relationships that nurture their development, well-being, and future goals,” said Frank Prado, Director of Clark County Family Services. “Every child deserves to grow up in a nurturing family environment. Our foster, relative, and kinship caregivers provide essential stability and support that help children heal, develop, and thrive. Their commitment is invaluable to our community.”  

Interested individuals can visit clarkcountyfostercare.com to register for information sessions.