How foster children are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

How foster children are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

The struggle has only increased.

Leaders of a foster agency here in lafayette are sharing concerns they're facing locally.

News 18's micah upshaw tells us more.

M: the national youth advocate program also known as nyap is a foster care agency that works to place children in better living environments.

In the midst of covid-19, program leaders say these times have been tough.

S: i think everyone's just anxious, you know, just the unknown.

M: samantha o'neal is the program manager of nyap's lafayette branch.

She says one particular challenge the agency is dealing with right now is the uncertainty with schools re-opening.

Nyap licensing coordinator rhyannon barrett says teachers play a huge role in reporting for ir o could be living unstable h, at's when we have the mtports od glect.

M: both barrt andneal sap ow the spread of the virus.

Ey're just worried about theppl: we' going to see a lotss reporo going to see a lot less families who are excepting ildren into thr homescause of cy ght now we jusheovocate and be : persuading people to consider being foer parents is a wayehops the agency is facing.

S: we're licensing families and theate hs allowi do onlinetrainings wis of people so if you're notre ifr parent, rea out and we'lllet yos .ap oped its branch here in fayette in january.

It is curntly the primary foster care agency in the state helping place children according to samantha o'neal.