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Missoula woman honored for foster care efforts

Posted at 9:41 AM, Apr 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-25 11:41:52-04

MISSOULA – A Missoula mom was who has fostered more than 100 children in her home has been honored as the Foster Care Parent of the Year.

Diane Gunter’s efforts at fostering kids began in the late 80’s and her oldest foster child — who is now in her 40s was at the conference on Tuesday. Gunter says she has learned a lot from the children she has fostered.

“It was rewarding to see how they changed, and just the trust that started building between us, and watching them take pride in themselves, and start thinking that I’m worth something.”

Many others were also honored for their work with children at the annual Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services reports foster child cases continue to increase, largely due to drug use by parents. There are almost 4,000 foster kids in Montana now.