DICKINSON, N.D. (PNS) – Efforts continue in North Dakota to carry out programs put in limbo by this year’s closing of Lutheran Social Services.

That includes a new group that focuses on strengthening families so that kids can avoid the foster-care system. Out of the ashes of the LSS closing rose a nonprofit called U-Spire ND. Director Missi Baranko says they’re maintaining the Healthy Families program. That involves specialists visiting with overburdened parents around the time of their child’s birth to develop nurturing skills.

Baranko says the foster-care system is a vital option when there are too many risks in keeping a child with their biological family. But she says the goal is to avoid placement.

She says the mission isn’t meant to diminish foster placement efforts in North Dakota, or the dedicated families who take in children. But there’s research that shows that when kids age out of the foster-care system, they often encounter barriers in securing a job and permanent housing.

In North Dakota, 5% the roughly 1,500 kids living in foster care stay through their eligibility before they venture on their own. Baranko says some of the parents that come to their program can relate how long-term stays within the foster-care system affected their lives once they aged out.

She says these new parents want to break that cycle for their kids, but don’t know how. Programs such as Healthy Families focus on prevention by coaching families in a variety of ways so they don’t become overwhelmed. Some of the training areas include early childhood development, family budgets and car-seat checks.

Leaders say these can reduce a lot of stress for new families, giving them more time to nurture their child.