New ads aim to attract Utah families to foster care system

The Utah Foster Care Foundation has launched a multimedia ad campaign in a bid to attract more families.

Called "Foster Care Changes Lives," the campaign includes advertisements placed in movie theaters, on social media, in print and on billboards. The ads are designed to tell the stories of foster parents and adopted teens, and to direct viewers to learn more online. Spokeswoman Deborah Lindner said the hope is that the ads will inspire other people to become involved.

The campaign coincides with a series of statewide forums on fostering teenagers.

Lindner said there is a constant need for new foster parents, especially those willing to take in teenagers.

The foundation reports that there are more than 2,700 Utah children in foster care. Most enter the system as a result of abuse or neglect. Roughly half of those children are 12 years or older, though that group only makes up about 8 percent of foster care adoptions, according to the foundation.

Lindner said the ad campaign will continue for one to two years.

Jim Dalrymple II How to help

O Get more info on foster parenting. > utahfostercare.org