16,000 kids in Michigan's foster care system

November 24, 2009 7:59 AM

WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - There are more than 16,000 kids in Michigan's foster care system.

There are events across West Michigan Tuesday. The goal is to find those kids good homes. All across the state hundreds of kids will get permanent families. It is part of National Adoption Day.

There are more than 5,000 kids in foster care in Michigan whose parents have terminated their rights, meaning they can be adopted. They just need to find the right family.

We spoke with one woman who has been a foster mom to two and a half year old twin boys since they were three weeks old. At a court hearing Tuesday they will officially become part of her family.

She tells us anyone can be a foster or adoptive parent.

"There's not a lot of expectations, you don't have to be the perfect parents, you don't have to be rich or wealthy or have any special things except for a home and love," said adoptive mother Carrie Barnes.

More than 50 counties in Michigan are expected to take part in the 7th Annual Michigan Adoption Day which is part of a larger nation-wide event.

Many of those involved hope it will bring attention to the great need for both foster and adoptive parents.