There are nearly 14,000 children in foster care in Georgia, according to the state’s Division of Family and Children Services.

It is a sadly high number of foster children in the state.

The SunLight Project report in the Sunday, May 19, editions of The Valdosta Daily Times paints a need for more foster parents to provide shelter and love for children in need.

The children come from many backgrounds and situations.

They are children of all ages and races.

A great many of them have special needs, including teenagers, siblings and children with physical, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities.

The Division of Family and Children Services is tasked with assuring children are safe from abuse and neglect.

Dedicated caregivers are a critical part of fulfilling that mission.

DFCS has said in previous statements that once a determination is made it is not safe for a child to remain in the home of a parent or guardian, the child may be placed in foster care.

The foster-care program is designed to be a temporary home away from home while qualified professionals work with the family to address child-safety concerns.

DFCS said its goal is to return children safely to their families but adds the child’s safety comes before any other consideration.

DFCS has said the agency is always looking for what it has called “loving, safe and stable homes for the children who are brought into care.” The approval process can take up to 10 months and may require certifications, evaluations and a good bit of documentation.

Foster children may benefit from certain therapeutic services as well as health and safety items that may include things such as car seats, booster seats and safety helmets.

In a perfect world, foster care would not be needed.

In a perfect world, children would never be abused or neglected.

It is not a perfect world.

In our world, children are orphaned, sadly others are abandoned, abused and neglected, making foster care so important and foster families so needed and appreciated.

An increase in children needing foster care means there is an increase in the need for foster parents.

Do you have what it takes to be a foster parent?

If so, the state and many Georgia children need you.

—Valdosta Daily Times