AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) – The number of children in the state’s foster care system is at an all-time high. At least 30,000 children and teens across the state need permanent or temporary homes.

The Department of Families and Child Protective Services is pleading with religious leaders to help. State social workers say they are swamped. In the Austin-Travis County area alone, more than 1,600 children and teens are in the system without foster families.

“Children are coming into the system at an alarming rate without the support of the family,” said Val Jackson, a faith-based specialist with the department. “And the reality is our children are broken; and, our families need help. [The agency] can only do so much.”

Source: Number of Texas children in foster care at all time high KXAN