TRAVIS COUNTY -- More than 16,000 Texas children were removed from their homes last year due to abuse and neglect. Child Protective Services is holding several recruiting events this month to find loving foster families.
Early this year, David and Jayne Gaddy decided to be foster parents. They started by watching a six-year-old girl for the weekend.
"The name just jumped off of the screen at me because the first half of her name is my mom's first name, and the second half of her name is David's mom's first name,” Jayne Gaddy said.
The couple felt it was fate.
By April, the Gaddys -- who have two grown children of their own -- had the girl full-time. It was the fifth home she had been in since being removed from her parents at three.
"We took her to her very first zoo. She had never been to a movie at a movie theater. She had never been to a sit down restaurant,” Jayne Gaddy said. “Everything is brand new to this little girl, and it is such a pleasure to be able to introduce her to life."
Child Protective Services needs more Central Texas foster parents like the Gaddys.
There are 200 children in foster care in Travis County. The goal is to keep those children in their home communities.
"Providing a home that is stable and showing these children that adults can be responsible and care for them is something that is so valuable, and we really need more people to come forward and doing that,” CPS Spokesperson Julie Moody said.
The Gaddys’ little girl will never have to move again. They are in the process of adopting her.
"Invite them in, and it will bring out the best in you,” David Gaddy said.
CPS is holding a recruitment event Thursday, Sept. 1 at the For the City Center located at 500 E. St. Johns Avenue from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Several more are scheduled for the Central Texas area. Click here for more information.
