NC foster care system at “breaking point,” 10,000+ kids in state need foster care

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina’s foster care system is at a breaking point. The state is facing a critical shortage of foster families.

“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be involved and to become a foster parent to be able to give back in a way that my grandparents did,” says Victoria Tillman. Victoria and Avery Tillman were both inspired through their family upbringings to embrace adoption. Tillman says, “For us it was a matter of finding the right time, right?”

The right time for them came in April 2024 when they became licensed. Dad describing his greatest lessons learned so far. Avery Tillman says, “Patience, because I mean, yeah, dealing with children and everything before, it’s helped, but it’s also an eye opener.”

They’ve had a total of five placements in their home since they began. They are now currently raising two foster children. Tillman says, “They want a sense of normalcy and they want to feel loved and cared for. You know, these kids, a lot of them that are in the foster care system, they have been dealt so many cards in their young lives that they didn’t ask for, that they don’t deserve to be dealt.”

According to state data, there are about 10,500 children in the foster care system and nearly 900 young adults. There are only about half that number of licensed foster homes available.

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed May Foster Care Month. Advocates and families are hoping to shed light on the need. Tillman says, “So doing the research, making that phone call, you know, if you have even just a slight inkling in your heart that this might be a good fit for you, then making that phone call and getting the information, I think is really important.”

People interested in learning more about the foster care system can visit ncdhhs.gov.