In his State of the State address, Governor Doug Ducey called for state lawmakers to take action on laws to encourage more parents to open up their homes to foster children.
The Arizona's Children Association says the numbers are heartbreaking, nearly 19,000 kids are in need of foster homes and there are only 3,500 hundred homes statewide to place them in.
“We don't have the families to fill that need and when kids immediately come into care, if there's not an open bed we don't have anywhere for them to go so they end up sleeping in offices for a night or two, for many it's living in a group home or living in a shelter,” said Ricky Denwood, a supervisor with Arizona’s Children’s Association and a foster parent himself.
Phoenix couple Matt Dallas and Blue Hamilton saw that need and recently signed up to become foster parents.
The actor and musician knew they wanted to become parents and were split between having their own biological child using a surrogate mother or adopt.
The couple soon decided adoption would give a child in need of love a home. They did their research and were soon going through the process.
“It was like our nine months,” said Matt.
Matt and Blue married in July of 2015 and two weeks later the call they were waiting for came.
“We were on a road trip doing our YouTube series and we got the call,” said Blue.
A 19-month-old toddler boy needed a home right away.
“We were like, "does he have any food allergies, we should buy food for him, what size diapers does he wear?'” recalls Matt.
The couple rushed back to Phoenix to prepare their home, but all that new parent anxiety disappeared when they met Crow.
“Just seeing his little face peek out from the back seat of her van ….he peeked around, and he just got this big smile and smiled at both of us and it was like, ‘ahhh -- this is it!’” exclaimed Matt.
“Yeah…right call,” agreed Blue
In December, the couple officially adopted Crow and introduced him on the YouTube channel they produce.
Crow Dallas-Hamilton stole the show, making his own entrance and calling Matt and Blue the names they always wanted to hear dad and daddy.
“Once he was added to the mix, it was like the piece that was missing that we didn't know was missing,” said Matt.
“Everything is special, just hearing a little guy like this wake up and yell Daddy and knowing he relies on you.” said Blue.
The couple is now hoping more couples will step up and do the same.
The process has several steps, but they say it’s worth it.
“There are many steps involved, number one is finding the right agency that works for you. There's training involved and a lot of self-reflection to see if it's right for you,” said Denwood.
“You're going to love the kids, you're going to love them unconditionally and even if they have more history or baggage. They’re kids and they just need love," urges Matt.
Arizona’s Children’s Association has everything you need to do to become a foster parent on their website.
