The Natchez Children’s Home Services will soon end residential care, focusing instead on placing children in foster homes and offering support to families.

Director Nancy Hungerford told the Natchez Democrat that the homes board recently voted on the change. The home had been a long-term housing option.

Hungerford says the decision was based on a change in child welfare beliefs nationwide and influenced by two lawsuits filed against the state of Mississippi several years ago.

State money that currently comes to the Childrens Home for childcare will be directed to the foster families.