May is Foster Care Awareness Month and issues surrounding the programs are highlighted on the weekly local public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up Saturday, April 30.

Foster Care & Adoption Homefinder for Berkshire Farm Center & Adoption Homefinder for Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth, Kristina Kiehle talks about the Center's work in the Northeast as well as the challenges and benefits for families and kids in the foster care system.

Kiehle says extensive screening is done prior to the placement of children with a foster family and the need for new foster homes is constantly changing.

Kiehle and host, Kathy Whyte joke that the training that foster families get prior to having a child placed in their care would really benefit everyone before they become parents.

Information on fostering can be found by contacting Berkshire Farm Center at (607) 772-3123 or, Kiehle says, people can go online and search for information about foster care and programs close to them.

Southern Tier Close Up airs Sunday at 6am on 99.1 The Whale151500000.

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