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 In the realm of foster parenthood Washington County Youth and Services consider Bill and Ellen Woytovich to be superstars. Above from left are granddaughter Marissa, 5; Lang, 12; Jenna, 10; Jabar, 5; Christa, 11; Bill Woytovich; Meeka, 5; Ellen Woytovich; Kiera, 6; and Dustin, 13. Jim Ference, The Valley Independent If Washington County Children and Youth Services social workers had their way, there would be more foster parents like Bill and Ellen Woytovich. The Woytoviches, of North Charleroi, have been foster parents for 15 years. In that time, they have opened their home to more than 100 children. Today, the family has four grown children, five young adopted kids and two foster children in their care. And they also help babysit their grandchildren. "All it takes is a lot of love, patience and a desire to help these kids," Ellen Woytovich said of foster parenthood. "You don't have to be special." Dont' tell that to Washington County CYS Executive Director Jeff Felton, whose agency strives to find families like the Woytoviches. "It does take a special person to become a foster parent and if we had more families like them, the children and families we serve would benefit so much more," Felton said. Unfortunately, though, such families are rare in Washington County. In fact, of the 301 children in the care of Washington County CYS in 2002, only 43 percent were placed with county families. Of the total, 31 percent were ages 15 to 17, and 26 percent were ages 10 to 14. Felton said his staff works to maintain more foster families in the program in an effort to keep children in the county. Currently, the agency only has 57 foster families. It contracts with other agencies to bridge the gap. Social worker Michelle Lober said CYS often has to place children as far away as Erie, Johnstown and Ligonier because too few Washington County families participate in the program. "Not only is it difficult for a child to be moved out of their home, but when you take them out of familiar surroundings, to another school, it makes it so much harder for them," Lober said. Two years ago, the agency established a unit to recruit, mentor and retain foster families. Lober belongs to the unit and said she realizes the goal is difficutl to reach because few people are willing to accept children from troubled homes. Foster parents receive daily stipends of less than $20, she said. "But today, we have programs and increased services to help foster families and we are there for them if they need it," Lober said. It also is difficult to find foster families willing to take in older children, especially teen-agers. Most are placed in group homes and other facilities. "A lot of these kids are wonderful and all they need is a stable home environment," Lober said. The agency battles the stigma that CYS employees are "bad guys" who split up homes. "Our goal is to keep kids with their parents when it's safe," Lober explained. To attract attention for the need of foster families, Lober and four other social workers in her unit have been promoting foster parenthood at local malls and churches. Their work is timely because May is National Foster Parent Month. The CYS workers point to such model families as the Woytoviches, who are eager to discuss the rewards that come with foster parenthood. "We couldn't imagine our life any other way," Ellen Woytovich said. Bill Woytovich adopted his wife's children, John, Brian and Rychele Woytovich, shortly after they married nearly 25 years ago. Their family has steadily grown ever since. An adopted child herself, Ellen Woytovich and her husband decided to open their home to foster children. Ellen Woytovich describes herself as a "domestic engineer," otherwise known as a stay-at-home-mom. A disability forced her husband into early retirement in 1998. They have adopted Dustin, 13; Lang, 12; Christa, 11; Jenna, 10; and Kiera, 6. Lang and Jenna are biological siblings. The two foster children are both age 5. Ellen and Bill Woytovich's three grandchildren often are at the house. The Woytoviches said it is important to remember that foster parenthood is a temporary situation. The goal is to help the children during the placement period. "We want to help the kids and the parents," Bill Woytovich said. "It's great to see families work through their problems and be able to provide a loving home for their kids." The couple didn't hesitate, though, to adopt their children. "We've had them since they were infants and you certainly bond with them at that age," Ellen Woytovich said. The couple has filed for a special exception to take in an additional foster child. By law, families can maintain only six children in a household. "Anyone can be a foster parent, Ellen Woytovich said. "All it takes is a lot of love, a home, food and the desire to help a child." Stacy Wolford can be reached at swolford@tribweb.com or (724) 684-2640. | John Woodward, '77 | Andrea Todora, '74 | James R. Moon, '73 | David Mudrick & Cindy Colvin, '74 | George Braunegg, '75 | Bob Burns, '76 | Bill Woytovich, '73 | Michael 'Reed' Popovich, '74 | Karen A. Theys, '74 | Keith Spear, '74 | Vicki DuJordan, '71 | Leslie Kibler, '77 | Valerie Marraccini, '76 & Dennis J. Stitch, '78 | Janey Potts, '75 | Joseph R. Scaccia, '75 | Cheryl Deep, '74 | Mark Mascara, '74 | Jeff Kossol, '71 | Philip J. Kellman, '72 | Sheri Monack, '75 | | TEACHERS/STAFF | THE 40's and PRIOR | THE 50's | THE 60's | THE 70's | THE 80's | THE 90's | THE NEW MILLENNIUM! | | Return Home | 'Contact Us'... Submit Profile & UPDATES | Class Directory | Reunions (Includes Possible ALL 60's Reunion) | Where Are They Now? / Where They Were | Photo Gallery | TOWN TALK | Sports! | SCHOLASTICS | |
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