More foster parents are needed, and training is set to begin next week, Covington County Department of Human Resources officials said this week.

The Group Preparation and Selection for Foster and Adoptive Families (GPS) classes are set for Mondays beginning Jan. 4. The series will run for 10 weeks, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

In a session earlier this year, DHR had a record number of participants. Nineteen participated, compared to the normal three to five participants.

Twenty to 22 can participate in a class, DHR’s Natalie Pinson said.

The program is 30 hours of training and in the final week, each participant is asked to invite their support system, extended family members, birth children and others.

The county currently has 38 children in foster care. Pinson said this year they have had 11 foster parent adoptions.

Earlier this year, DHR was having to place children outside of the county to keep up with the demand, but Pinson said that has improved.

“We actually have other counties starting to ask for our homes,” she said. “Our director, Lesa Syler, went and did a training with other directors on our successes in recruitment.”

Pinson said there is a need for more people who are willing to take foster children 10 and up and those who are considered medically fragile.

To sign up or for questions, call Pinson at 427-7933.