CPS receives grant to help displaced children

St. Joseph County United Way, with the help of the Department of Health and Human Services Board of Directors, recently awarded a grant to St. Joseph County Child Protective Services for special use.
Eighty $25 and 100 $10 gift cards were given to CPS to use for children who are removed from their homes.
United Way director Kelly Hostetler said the gift cards are to local retailers and restaurants to give foster-care families the funds they need to purchase food, pajamas, socks, underwear and other essentials for the children.
CPS uses the gift cards to assist children and their families during placement. Most of the time, the children are removed from the home and they are able to take only a few items with them due to numerous conditions, including drug residences, emergency removals and other unforeseen circumstances.
The gift cards allow CPS to purchase clothes, school supplies, hygienic items and other items that may be required to ensure the children are comfortable in their new placement.