Foster Agency Highlights Importance Of Adoption For Children With Physical, Mental Challenges

A Tulsa foster care agency is working around the clock to recruit families to help children in need. The agency believes the need in our community was amplified by the pandemic, but there has always been a great need.

The Bair Foundation said it's especially difficult finding home for teens, siblings, and kids with physical and mental challenges.

The foundation's director of social services, Allison Korvick, said there are approximately 7,500 Oklahoma kids in foster care.

"Didn't really realize that the kids will be coming to us just with their clothes and a trash bag," future foster parent Jerry Behrens said.

The Behrens' are going through The Bair Foundation's certification process to become foster care parents. Korvick said the need for a safe place to stay is great and was heightened by the pandemic.

"There has been an increase in cases of abuse and neglect that have come up," Korvick said. 

Oklahoma Human Services said there are nearly 900 families needed. The Bair Foundation re-established its Tulsa branch and has been heavily recruiting parents like the Behrens since March.

 "It's pretty slow," Korvick said. 

Korvick told us the goal is to let family trees flourish and reunite kids with their biological parents.

"So, when their parents have more babies and when they go on to have their own babies, the cycle doesn't continue," Korvick said. 

The foundation focuses on older children, siblings and kids with physical or intellectual disabilities and behavioral issues.

"Everybody wants a baby, but we feel like the middle-aged child are the ones that have the most about of challenges in their life," Behrens said. 

Behrens was adopted when he was just 6 months old alongside his older sister, who was 3 years old, at the time. His brother went to a different family.

"I can definitely relate with someone who doesn't feel like they belong in a certain place," Behrens said. 

Piper is Behrens’ oldest daughter. She said she's been helping her mom and dad prepare for fostering.

"I think that I could help a lot of kids," Piper said. 

They've set up three rooms, each with bunk beds.

"We have a lot of love to give," Behrens said. 

For more information on the Bair Foundation, click here.