Foster parents are needed in Covington County, officials said this week.

“Through our foster parent recruitment, DHR is targeting specific school districts and areas within the county,” said Mindy Barton, DHR supervisor.

Covington County currently has 32 children in foster care.

Additionally, there are currently 56 children in the county who are considered at risk of entering foster care.

“These are (Child Protective Services) cases in which safety issues have been identified and there is a potential for these children to come into foster care,” Barton said.

Of those 56 children who are considered at risk, 20 are within the Opp school system; 12 are within the Andalusia school system; four in Straughn,;13 in Red Level; and seven in Pleasant Home.

In May, DHR responded to 69 new reports of abuse and neglect, which are currently being investigated.

“It is our goal to make the community aware of the specific needs for each school district and local areas within our county,” Barton said. “There are many school districts within the county that have no available foster homes today.”

Barton said children have suffered unimaginable abuse or neglect that has led to them being removed from their families, placed in strangers’ homes and away from things that are familiar to them.

“While children are resilient, this trauma adds an additional struggle that we want to remove,” she said. “We are confident that when our community realizes the need for quality, loving foster parents, that Covington County will meet this need.”

Those interested in becoming foster parents, can take part in the foster parents training classes, which will begin on June 17, at 6 p.m., at Opp Church of Christ.

For more information, call 334-427-7900.