PRESS RELEASE

LAS VEGAS – May is Foster Care Month and Olive Crest in Nevada wants to invite the Southern Nevada community to learn more about the need for qualified foster parents to provide a safe, stable and loving home for children who are unable to live with their biological parents due to allegations of abuse or neglect.  The time length of fostering a child can range from emergency placement to long term foster care of more than 12 months. Foster parents work as part of a team to support the goal of reunification with the family from which the children were removed.  

“Our foster parents are the primary agents of healing in the lives of the children we serve,” said Laura Armeni-Kneesel, director of development at Olive Crest in Nevada.

Olive Crest in Nevada’s primary areas of need for foster families range from emergency care to fostering a sibling group of three or more children, to Treatment foster care, in which the foster family provides a compassionate and caring home for children with emotional and behavioral needs that cannot be maintained in a regular foster care home.  Treatment foster families are provided additional resources and training to help the children learn basic life skills, and provide assistance with emotional regulation and building relationships, mental health therapy and medication management.

“We are looking for compassionate foster parents who will commit to caring for these children.” said Caitlin Brilhart, M.A., director of foster and adoptions for Olive Crest in Nevada.  “It takes a special kind of family to dedicate themselves to being an integral part of healing a child’s trauma.  If you feel you are one of them, we would love for you to be involved in our Treatment Foster Care Program!”    

For more information on becoming a licensed foster parent or to learn about upcoming foster parent training sessions, call 702-685-3459 or visit www.olivecrest.org/foster-adopt/nv.

Olive Crest Nevada is also hosting a Hygiene Drive through June 12 to collect body wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, feminine items, combs/brushes, wipes, loofahs, wash cloths, towels, makeup, chap-stick, deodorant and hand sanitizer for clients.  For more information contact Jenna Potter (702) 835-1907 or jenna-potter@olivecrest.org.

About Olive Crest
Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 100,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families.  We work tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents. Our many innovative programs reflect our conviction that strengthening the family is one of the most powerful ways to help heal children. With unwavering compassion, the Olive Crest family maintains a lifelong commitment to the youth and families we serve, even after they have graduated from our programs. Olive Crest in Nevada serves nearly 3,500 children and families each year.  For more information on Olive Crest in Nevada call 702-685-3459 or visit www.olivecrest.org/nv.