Necco employees work at a table at Parkersburg Pride Fest. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Every May since 1988, National Foster Care Month has given foster care agencies an opportunity to express the need and advocate for child welfare and the importance of foster care.

Necco, a multi-state foster and adoption agency, has an office located in Parkersburg that serves six counties in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Within the six counties, Administrative Specialist Amanda Cozzens said that 34 children are currently in their care. On average, Necco Parkersburg receives 18-20 foster child referrals a day, but she has seen over 40 in one day.

“It’s definitely a challenge some days,” said Cozzens. “We want to make sure we’re not just putting kids in beds…We want to make sure everyone is supported and getting the services that they need.”

While they are in charge of vetting and training foster parents for children that are registered in the system, they also strive to stay connected to the community by helping schools, churches, and other local organizations with outreach and volunteer work. Some of these opportunities include back to school supply drives, Trunk or Treat at the Grand Central Mall, and sponsoring youth sports.

A Necco worker dressed as Minnie Mouse works with children at a Trunk or Treat event. May has been National Foster Care Month. (Photo Provided)

“We’re always looking for ways to get out in the community and provide resources and services any way we can,” said Cozzens.

Necco Parkersburg is only in their fourth year of operation, and they have six staff members total. However, they hit the ground running and are seeing a steady incline of interested foster parents.

“So far this year, we’ve opened nine more homes than we did in the first four or five months of last year,” said Licensing Specialist David Wright.

Case Manager Veronica Rivers said that while Necco is seeing an increase of homes in the area opening for foster children in general, there is a major need for homes willing to take in teenagers.

“There are 14-year-olds who have never had a birthday party. There are 15-year-olds who have never really experienced a true Christmas,” said Rivers. “Of the 6,119 children in care [in West Virginia]…32% of those are between 13 and 17 years old.”

Foster parents are able to receive training and become certified in as little as 10 weeks with NECCO, and the organization is seeking people who desire to provide children with a stable, positive environment.

“If you have any possible interest, call us. The worst you’re going to do is decide you don’t want to do it,” said Wright. “But, the best thing is you might find something you love doing and help a child in a situation that could be considered the worst time in their life.”

Necco Parkersburg encourages people who are interested in fostering or adopting children to contact their FaceBook page or call their office at 304-699-0035.