Longtime Foster Mom Changing Lives after 28 Years

Betty Lewis spends a lot of time in her car. She is busy transporting children to medical appointments, activities, family visits, and more. 

And she’s been doing it for more than 28 years as a foster parent. 

During National Foster Care Month this May, Franklin County Children Services is celebrating the caring adults in our community who continue to open their homes and hearts to children who need safe, stable, and loving places to stay.

As a single mom, Ms. Lewis initially started to foster because she wanted to have companionship for her daughter and more opportunities to use her mothering skills. Ultimately, she has changed the lives of more than 130 children and their families, including four children whom she adopted. 

The Lewis household is full of activity. It’s not easy to manage a home with a 19-year-old college student, a 17-year-old about to graduate from high school, medically fragile 9- and 7-year-old siblings, a 5-and-a-half-year-old, and a 10-month-old baby.

But Ms. Lewis makes it work. “Being really busy keeps things organized.” 

Time management is important, but she also stressed the need to be ready for the unexpected. “Sometimes, I’m busy handling crises, but other times the older ones are helping the younger ones.” 

While fostering hasn’t always been easy, she’s continued to be available when needed. “I’ve been aggravated at times, but the next thing I knew someone was calling me with that one special baby who needed a home,” she said, always willing to help. 

For many years, fostering medically fragile babies was her specialty. Now, she’s also caring for teens. “The relationship typically lasts longer, and the outcomes are more measurable.” 

While she wants to be available for the youth she fosters for the long term, Ms. Lewis’ priority is reunification. 

“I try to build a good relationship with the birth parents so they can focus on helping themselves, while I care for their children, and eventually kids can be at home where they belong,” she said. “I see myself as a mentor for parents and try to make them feel confident in caring for their children.” 

Ms. Lewis has seen how the drug abuse crisis in our community has contributed to children needing safe foster care. But she believes that families have real opportunities to heal with the support of FCCS and foster parents. 

“It’s rewarding because I get to see lives change. I see children saving their parents and parents becoming motivated to work their case plan and get off drugs. FCCS creates an environment for parents to be successful.”

While she says she’s nearing retirement, Ms. Lewis has continued to keep her home open for those who need her. Her steadfast devotion to fostering is appreciated.  

While accepting the 2024 CME Federal Credit Union Scholarship this spring, her 17-year-old foster daughter Miara tearfully expressed her love and gratitude for Ms. Lewis: “She has always been there for me, always believed in me, and she’s a big inspiration in my life.”

National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month, when our community comes together to spread awareness and show support for children and youth in foster care who urgently need caregivers as they wait to be reunited with their families.

Franklin County Children Services needs more foster families who are ready to open their homes to children who need safe, stable, and loving places to stay.

And all it takes is 100% Heart to Start. To learn how, call 614.275.2711 or visit fccs.us/foster-care. 

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