Foster Program

Alona Tate is the Retention and Recruitment Specialist for the State of Vermont Department of Children and Families, Family Services Division for the Barre district office. She comes to the department with a background as an attorney and is passionate about youth justice. Alona works to engage the community in support of Vermont’s children who enter the foster care system.

Topic Summary

Currently in the State of Vermont we have 1296 children in the foster care system, 140 of which are here locally in the Barre district. The number of children in the foster care system has increased significantly in recent years, due largely to the opiod epidemic in Vermont. We have more children that come into custody than we have foster homes that can provide a safe, stable environment for them to thrive. Many of these kids will be looking for a forever home.