The department usually has a strong response from people who want to adopt or foster small children, Dudley said. But, she added, there is a growing need for people to take in children with medical needs and disabilities.

“We need those people who have the patience and time to devote to those children,” she said. “We need people that can take siblings because we don’t want to have them scattered here and there. We want them placed together if possible.”

It’s often a struggle to find homes for teens as well, Dudley said.

The informational meeting is open to everyone, Dudley said.

Many who attend are surprised to learn there is such a large need for foster and adoptive parents in Selma, Dudley said.

“My last known estimate was at least 70 children,” she said. “There have been years where we have more than 90, but through the completion of adoptions we have been able to reduce that number.”

Homes are always needed in advance because the department can get foster children at any time.

For more information or becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call 874-1472.