LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There are about 10,000 children in Kentucky's foster care system, according to the state's Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

That number is up from April, when there were 8,000 children in the system. 

"There are a lot of deserving kids out there who need loving homes," said Nancy Flowers, a foster mother to four children.

Flowers is also a part of Kentucky's Citizen Foster Care Review Board, which is comprised of volunteers from across the state. Every year, the board holds two public forums to discuss problems in the foster care system with hopes of perfecting the system in the future. The board held it's final forum of the year Monday, and after the meetings, members put together the input and present it to legislators and judges who have a hand in the system.

"I hope to get out of the forums the understanding of what the public thinks about the foster care system," said Yvonne Woods, a regional representative on the board. "What are some of the issues they're facing as foster care parents?"

Board members credit House Bill 1 as the reason some issues in the system are starting to get resolved. However, they say there is still much work to be done. The bill passed earlier this year focuses on speeding up the adoption process. 

One of the biggest problems members see in the state is a lack of foster parents. According to state data, there are just over 5,000 foster homes, which is a 13 percent increase since 2014. However, board members say the need for parents is much greater since more children are being put into foster care.

Members attribute the rapid increase of children in the system to the state's growing opioid abuse. The state says 70 percent of its foster cases involve substance abuse either as a direct or indirect contributing factor. 

"The House Bill 1 will take care of a lot of those things, so the children will move through," Woods said. "And some of the parents on the opium issue can get the services they need."

One board member and former foster parent thinks the problem correlates with a lack of awareness.

"Fostering is a special thing," said Katrena Scott who has fostered more than 160 children in 12 years. "I don't think any type of bill or regulation is going to increase foster parents. I think there just has to be an awareness that there's a need."

Members say while House Bill 1 is a step in the right direction, there is still much to be done.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a foster parent click here. If you are interested in becoming a part of your county's Citizen Foster Care Review Board click here.

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