I am writing to ask the residents of Washington County to read and listen carefully to the information being distributed by our Children’s Services Board about the critical need for a Foster Care Placement Levy.

Children’s Services has always worked to keep children in their own homes but that has become impossible if parents are caught up in the opioid crisis. The facts speak for themselves. Ten years ago there were 51 children from our county in foster care; in 2017, there were 144 needing care. There were also 10 fewer staff members to serve those children.

Necessary reductions have been made yet our own county commissioners continue to cut funding to the agency. How do we keep these children safe?

Please vote yes for the Foster Placement Levy on May 8. Every child deserves a chance.

Sally S. Evans

Marietta