Boise, Idaho — Only 23 years old, internationally renowned speaker and former foster youth Josh Shipp has already shared the stage with comedian Bill Cosby, hosted a reality television show, and released his first book, “Don’t be Average.” As a spokesperson for National Foster Care Month, Shipp focused his considerable talents on the need for foster parents in Idaho during a media event Monday designed to raise awareness about the growing need for more loving families to step up.
Abandoned, neglected, and abused as a child, Shipp attributes much of his own success to encouragement from his foster parents. "I am who I am today because I chose to take advantage of opportunities given to me," says Shipp. His comedy and motivational speaking center around his personal experience with overcoming adversity and the central theme—don’t be average—was something he learned from his foster family. He hopes other potential foster parents will take this message to heart when they are considering opening their home to a young person in need.
In Idaho over the past three years the number of children in foster care increased by 40 percent. According to Ken Deibert, Administrator for Family and Community Services for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the increased number of children being placed in state care is due to a significant rise in Idaho’s population and a growing substance abuse problem, primarily related to the use of methamphetamine. With 3,000 youth in foster care and only 1,000 licensed homes available, the need for foster parents in Idaho is also growing.
“Becoming a foster parent is certainly not a decision to be made lightly,” said foster mom Deanna Fisher. Since 2000, she has parented 15 youth in her home. “It’s challenging. Sometimes you get attached and then the youth is blessed enough to be able to return to their family. Sometimes you are there for the long term. But ultimately, what you are doing is adding love and stability, and there’s always so much to be gained when you think of helping a young person with a whole life in front of them.”
Idaho child welfare is at the forefront in figuring out how to collaborate to address the needs of the growing number of children in foster care. “We are getting really good at working together here in Idaho—joining forces between private agencies, state agencies, and universities in order to make things better for our children,” said Mike Scholl, director of Casey Family Programs’ Boise office. Casey is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused exclusively on foster care. The organization has operated in Boise since 1972. “Institutions, however, can only provide part of the solution,” Scholl said. “Our most important partners are foster families.”
“Some people are simply excellent parents or have the potential to be an excellent parent and it’s those people that should consider stepping up,” said Deibert.
To find out about becoming a foster parent, call the Idaho CareLine, 2-1-1.
About Idaho Department of Health & Welfare – This Department is the State of Idaho’s public health and human services agency. Its mission is to promote the health and safety of all Idahoans. Within the Department, the Division of Family and Community Services administers statewide child welfare services. These services include protection and social services to children, youth and their families who are involved in the child welfare system. Services include early identification and child development intervention, family preservation, investigation and court services, foster care, and children’s mental health treatment, permanency planning and adoption, and transition services. For more information, go to www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/
About Boise State University – Boise State University is an Idaho public non-profit educational institution. The School of Social Work prepares students for beginning and advanced professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The School of Social Work is committed to human rights, social and economic justice, egalitarianism, and respect for diversity addressing the needs of populations at risk from a strengths perspective. Through its child welfare center, BSU supports and administers the Child Welfare Worker Academy and supports and administers the statewide Child Welfare Scholars Program, both of which are designed to improve child welfare practice in Idaho. For more information, go to www.boisestate.edu/socwork/cwc/
About Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University’s School of Social Work is committed to the ongoing development of social work education, which instills a core commitment to building a society based on social and economic justice and enhancing opportunities for human well being. EWU is a public non-profit educational institution. Through its Idaho Child Welfare Resource Training Center, EWU supports and administers Idaho’s statewide Resource Family training and administers a network of sub-contracts with other participating Idaho universities and community colleges, all of which are designed to promote and continually improve the quality of child welfare services in Idaho. For more information, go to www.icwrtc.org/