Foster care campaign urges Utahns to change lives of teenagers awaiting adoption

He said foster parents receive a wealth of training and assistance from the state Division of Child and Family Services and the Utah Foster Care Foundation.

"I was astounded how deep the support is and how many people are devoted to it," he said.

That training and support has given the Gerlachs confidence to handle just about any situation, he said.

Their teenage sons have different issues from their younger daughters, he said. But after consulting with neighbors who are also parents of teenage children, Rob Gerlach said he's become convinced that the teen years are challenging for all.

"No one seems to know what to do with teenage boys," he said, softly laughing. "But you learn that kids are resilient and they forgive a lot."

The Utah Foster Care Foundation will host four forums on fostering teens during January and February in Murray, Ogden, St. George and Orem.

The first forum will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, at the foundation's office, 5296 S. Commerce Drive, Murray.

For a full schedule and other information about the campaign, visit utahfostercare.org or call 801-994-5205.

E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com