MARQUETTE -- Michigan is facing a critical shortage of licensed foster care providers, especially for teenagers.
For that reason, the Upper Peninsula Children's Coalition hosted an afternoon coffee break to improve the process of getting information out to the public.
The Michigan Department of Human Services and private agency partners are currently part of a yearlong campaign to recruit foster parents.
They say it's a difficult job, but there are significant benefits.
"Sometimes the rewards are immediate, but many times the awards are later. we're hear back from a child that's been with us in the past years and it will really be rewarding to hear them say how well they're doing, thanking you for what you did at the time," said Foster Parent, Glenn Winge.
Of the 15,000 plus children in foster care, more than 4,000 are available for adoption because they're in state or court wards because their parent's rights were terminated due to abuse or neglect.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC