KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things in people's day-to-day lives, and that's no different for children and families going through the adoption or foster care process.
41 Action News spoke to the CEO of Cornerstones of Care, Denise Cross, about how COVID-19 has impacted them.
Cornerstones of Care is a an organization that provides services to families and children across the Kansas City area, including adoption and foster care.
Cross said foster care families are facing a lot of the same issues that other families are going through right now because kids are not in school.
"We've seen increased food cost because our children aren't in school and they're not being fed at school, increased cost of cleaning supplies or for other things you need in the home," Cross said.
Cross is hopeful policy makers in Missouri will issue temporary increased rates for foster parents who are taking care of these children.
Cross said the pandemic has slowed down the adoption process in Kansas City tremendously.
Cornerstones of Care has not had any adoption fall through due to COVID-19, according to Cross, but they have had to change their entire adoption process, trusting technology for meetings and maintaining relationships.
"It takes a little bit longer when you're not able to just get people in a room," Cross said. "We really have been trying to keep the process moving, keep those conversations and those relationships being built so that those children can have the outcome they deserve."
Cross told 41 Action News that they are doing all they can to make sure no child has to stay in the system longer than necessary.
Cornerstones of Care is in need of personal protective equipment, including masks and other safety materials for families and staff.
Anyone interested in donating should visit the Cornerstones of Care website.
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