Rewards come in many forms. Carol and Joseph Olson find theirs from taking in and caring for foster children.
The Olsons are foster parents through TFI Family Services.
Carol and Joseph married seven years ago and from previous marriages have four children of their own, all grown. They also have three grandchildren, Carol said.
With the kids out of the house they found they had time and space to take care of children in need.
They began fostering children because of what Carol says might be “emptiness syndrome and we know we can make a difference for these kids who need someone. There is a great need for foster parents.”
In 2007 the Olsons began taking foster care classes a couple of hours a day once a week.
“The classes get you prepared for the different things you will see with the kids and how to deal with them,” Carol said.
The classes are required for foster parents licensing in Kansas.
The Olsons weren’t always sure about being foster parents.
“We didn’t know everything it would take,” Carol said. “We took the classes and though ‘why not give it a shot.’”
They began by taking in children for short periods of time, called respite foster care.
“We wanted go get our feet wet,” Joseph said.
The experience led them to decide on full-time foster care.
“The longest we have had a child was a year and half and the shortest was about a month,” Carol said. “It just depends on the kid’s situation with their families.”
In five years they have cared for about 20 children.
