Local Groups Help Foster Families Seek Counseling During Pandemic

Metro organizations are teaming up to help Oklahoma foster and adoptive families who need access to mental health counseling. These groups wanted to provide these families with the necessary support and a chance to still talk with health professionals

The HALO Project, Lilyfield, Pivot, and the Arnall Family Foundation joined together to provide free online counselling to help parents and children in need of mental health support during this pandemic.

“The virtual support groups will allow people to come together, talk about anything that’s going on, getting all the answers that they need,” said Cindy Lee, Executive Director of the HALO Project.

Twenty mental health counselors will be available to assist these families and the meetings will be facilitated by professionals through Zoom. Officials with each group said since the outbreak of COVID-19, it’s been tough for these families not having as many resources to turn to.

“Social isolation is going to increase their challenges that they experience because they already rely on so many supports whether it be school, or a group, a therapist,” said Holly Towers, Executive Director of Lilyfield.

Towers explained that due to much being shut down it becomes tough for many of these parents. They take on the only roll in these children’s lives.

“That’s a real challenge,” said Towers. “And particularly when we think about fostering and adoptive parents who have taken on a pretty difficult task.”

The groups said previous trauma these children have been through can worsen during a crisis like this. They said it’s critical to help these families.

“The need is there, we’re seeing a lot of the parents coming together and talking about just how difficult it is to meet the educational needs and family needs,” said Lee.

Parents who qualify for the counseling can register here.