Foster family inquiries are down more than 50% since 2024 for Wellroot Family Services, formerly known as the United Methodist Children’s Home and one of Georgia’s longest-serving child welfare organizations. Online for subscribrs!

Community members cut a ribbon at Wellroot Family Services: Janet Walden, DStrategic Initiatives North Georgia; Lee Highsmith, North Georgia United Methodist Church District; Phillippa Moss, Community Service Center; Allison Ashe, Wellroot CEO, Christina Lennon, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer; SarTaj Bush, Director of Program Operations; Mary Vincent, Senior VP Programs; Brittany Rouse, Program Manager of Healthy Families.

A Georgia foster care provider says a decline in foster family recruitment is a concerning trend as May marks National Foster Care Awareness Month. Allison Ashe, president and CEO of Wellroot Family Services, said the organization has seen a 50% drop in recruitment since 2024.

More than 11,000 children in Georgia are in foster care, but new numbers show the state has fewer and fewer families to place kids with. The number of licensed foster homes in Georgia has declined by 40% since 2019, double the national average.

Wellroot Family Services surpassed its fundraising goal April 23 at its annual This Is Home Gala, raising $432,000 to support programs for foster youth and families in crisis across Georgia. The milestone event, held at Flourish Atlanta, drew community and corporate leaders together for an evening of storytelling, celebration, and impact, capping a year that also marks Wellroot’s 155th anniversary.

One of Georgia’s longest-serving child welfare organizations is celebrating the opening of their center in Hall County on Wednesday, April 1. Wellroot Family Services moved into the new office along Prior Street in Gainesville back in October of 2025, and now invites the community to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house from 1 to 3 p.m.

Wellroot Family Services, a Georgia nonprofit with roots dating back more than 150 years, opened its new Gainesville Family Resiliency Center on Wednesday, April 1, expanding access to mental health care, housing support and family services for Hall County families.

Children and families in DeKalb and Hall counties now have more access to behavioral health care services including psychiatric care, counseling and group therapy at clinics run by the faith-based nonprofit Wellroot Family Services.

Wellroot Family Services receives thousands of calls each year to help with housing for older foster children. It’s a challenging task, but the local nonprofit is making steps to help.

A Georgia nonprofit has unveiled its transformation of an apartment complex designed to help foster youth transition into adulthood.

Wellroot Family Services cut the ribbon on its fully renovated transitional living community for young adults aging out of foster care, “The Oaks” in Decatur.

Almost two-thirds of children are in foster care due to issues of neglect. According to recent data, each year in Georgia more than 500 young adults exit the foster care system and are left to fend for themselves.

Wellroot Family Services celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its renovated property at 750 E. Lake Drive in Decatur, known as The Oaks.

A new transitional living community in Decatur will soon provide housing and support for young adults who aged out of foster care.

According to Wellroot Family Services, more than 600 Georgia foster children are 17 and about to age out of care and must figure out what their next steps look like.

Around a dozen young people will soon move into brand new homes. They have endured a tough childhood in Georgia’s foster care system. According to Wellroot Family Services, one of the oldest child welfare organizations, there are more than 11,000 kids in the foster care system.

A non-profit is opening a living community in Decatur for children transitioning out of foster care. The grand opening for the community is on Jan. 28.

Wellroot Family Services announced the appointment of four leaders to its board of directors: Aaron Epp, Tamaron Houston, Kate Kennedy, and Jenny Wilkirson.

Some young adults in Atlanta who are coming out of foster care are starting the new year with a new home. Wellroot Family Services is almost done renovating an apartment building in East Lake that will house 20 people aging out of the foster care system.

Nonprofit organizations that partner with the state to serve children and families say prevention and wraparound services are now under increased scrutiny or at risk of cuts. “When family’s needs aren’t centered, children fall through the cracks,” said Allison Ashe, CEO of Wellroot Family Services.

On Dec. 16, Wellroot Family Services turned a church into a winter wonderland for hundreds of families, complete with craft stations, face painting and Santa Claus meet and greets. But the secret centerpiece was open only to the adults: A well-stocked holiday shop where every gift is completely free.Services.

Georgia lawmakers say the state must do more to support young people aging out of foster care, after a state Senate study found critical gaps in education, housing and workforce readiness.

Wellroot Family Services CEO Allison Ashe outlines the new federal initiative to modernize foster care and improve support for youth aging out of the system.

ATLANTA — As more than 1.4 million Georgians prepare to lose food stamp or SNAP benefits starting November 1, local food banks are getting help… Another community group and local family advocate, Wellroot Family Services, says about half of the families they assist are enrolled in SNAP and Wellroot President and CEO Allison Ashe says food insecurity can cause families to spiral.

Every year, the Georgia Department of Human Services says close to 700 young people age out of the foster care system. Without proper support, there’s a strong chance many of them will end up unhoused. A Tucker faith-based nonprofit is helping keep these young adults on a path to success.

Every year, the Georgia Department of Human Services says close to 700 young people age out of the foster care system. Without proper support, there’s a strong chance many of them will end up unhoused. A Tucker faith-based nonprofit is helping keep these young adults on a path to success.

Allison Ashe leads with both heart and strategy at Wellroot Family Services, one of Georgia’s oldest child and family welfare organizations. Since taking on the CEO role in 2020, she’s worked to reimagine what stability looks like for children and families in the foster care system – shifting the focus from placement to long-term well-being.

Recently renewed by the Georgia Legislature, Georgia’s Fostering Success Tax Credit will continue in 2025 to help those aging out of foster care. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge reports.

[Chesley McNeil] Plus, a tax credit aimed at helping Georgia’s foster children is working its way through the gold dome. We’re going to hear from one organization’s plans for at least pushing its renewal

United Methodist-related Wellroot Family Services welcomed more than 400 youth-serving professionals from more than 150…

On January 30, Wellroot Family Services welcomed more than 400 youth-serving professionals from more than 150 organizations…

Standing as a beacon of hope for children and families for 152 years, the United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) served…

Passed by the legislature two years ago, the state of Georgia sets aside $20 million in tax credits as part of the ‘Fostering Success’ tax credit…

The deadline is fast approaching for you to make your state tax dollars a Christmas gift to help teens who are preparing…