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Wonderful Families Needed Over the years, Bonnie Slater and the staff of the mid-Central Region have been trained to provide culturally appropriate services to meet the needs of the children and families they serve. This emphasis on cultural competency was a significant factor in their recent assignment to start the Gila River Foster Care Program, specifically to find foster families for children who are removed from their homes in the Gila River Indian Community. Before this recent contract, children who were taken into foster care by Gila River Tribal Social Services would live in a contracted shelter, sometimes for years. Now, the AzCA mid-Central Region office is charged with recruiting, training and supporting foster homes for children who come into foster care from the Gila River Tribe. "This is a huge step for the Gila River Community and we are committed to success for this program," said Bonnie. "We are looking for wonderful families who are willing to learn as much as possible about the children's values, beliefs, and customs and embrace the heritage of the Gila River Community for them." Bonnie and her staff would like to find 20 loving foster homes who will be committed to the Gila River children for the long term, be willing to transport to appointments on the Gila River reservation and be willing to practice shared parenting and shared communication. For more information about the Gila River Foster Care Program, contact Bonnie Slater at bslater@arizonaschildren.org or call 480.503.8530. |
