BUCHANAN — Within two weeks of having their first foster child reunite with his mother, Brandon and Pam Lubbert had gotten several phone calls from the Michigan Department of Human Services about taking in other children.

The Buchanan couple say it’s evidence of the drastic need for more foster families in the county.

There are currently about 400 foster children in Berrien County and only 130 licensed foster parents, according to the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS).

“We are definitely always in need of more foster homes,” said Heather Hoffman, children’s services supervisor with DHS in Berrien County.

The Lubberts, who have been licensed foster parents for about a year, believe it’s difficult to find families willing to commit the time and energy into foster parenting.

“It’s not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination,” Pam said. “There are time constraints, money constraints. You have to have people that are very committed to kids.”

But, for Pam, the smile of their 7-month-old foster daughter makes it all worth it.

“They become a part of you, even after they leave. A little part of you will stay with them,” she said.

Christina Fecher, communications representative for Michigan DHS, said the county could use more families like the Lubberts.

“The Lubberts are great about making sure the (biological) parents are involved if it’s in the child’s best interest,” Fecher said.

The Lubberts will go out of their way to meet with the biological parents for outings, like days at the park and meetings at restaurants. Pam has even met with the mother to pick out clothes for the child.

“We try to go the extra mile in meeting with (the biological parents),” Brandon said. “You have to look at it from the child’s perspective.”

The lack of foster families in the county has caught the attention of area churches. Life Action Ministries in Buchanan has launched an effort to support foster families and raise awareness about the number of children in need of permanent homes.

The ministry invited all the churches in the county to a luncheon in May to develop strategies to help foster families.

The Berrien County Trial Court Foster Care Program, which works with youth between 11 and 17 years old removed from their home as a result of delinquent behavior, is also in need of more foster care providers.

The program currently only has two youth in the program due to the few number of homes available for them.

Jennifer Hartman, juvenile probation officer with the program, said county officials would like to have a minimum of 10 licensed foster homes in the county to provide care for 30 youth. Currently, there are only five licensed homes.

For more information on the foster care program through DHS, contact Heather Hoffman at (269) 934-2272. For information on the trial court foster care program, contact Jennifer Hartman at (269) 983-7111 ext. 8378.