May is National Foster Care Month
National Foster Care Month is a time to honor foster families who have opened their hearts and homes to temporarily care for the children and youth of our community. It is also a time to raise awareness of the need for foster families in Mendocino County. To date, Mendocino County has 250 children and youth placed in foster care within the County and 75 that have been placed out of County.
Redwood Community Services, Inc and Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency are looking for foster parents throughout Mendocino County to make a difference in the life of a child. They need your help by sharing your love with children and youth in our community who need a consistent and loving home. A foster parent is someone who can provide care and love for children who are temporarily unable to live with their birth families.
When placement is not available in Mendocino County, children and youth may have to move to another County. These children may have to move schools, make new friends and most importantly, it makes it difficult for regular visits with their birth family. You can be the one who helps a child in care stay local.
You don’t have to be “perfect” to become the perfect foster parent. Foster parents come from all economic and cultural backgrounds. You may be a single parent or have no biological children of your own. What is important is that you are a loving person who wants to be an example of strength and compassion for a local child or youth.
There are many benefits in becoming a foster parent, tax free stipend to offset the cost of having a child in your home, free training, 24-hour on call support, summer empowerment camps and much more. There are several options to fit your lifestyle.
Please join Redwood Community Services, Inc and Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency for a series of free informational presentations throughout the County. You will hear from current foster parents and learn how you can help the children and youth of our community. FREE childcare will be provided.
Friday, May 8th 5:30pm-8:00pm 300 S. Lincoln Street, Fort Bragg (CV Star Center)
Friday, May 29th 5:30pm-8:00pm 800 N. State Street, Ukiah (Redwood Community Services)
Friday, June 19th 5:30pm-8:00pm 800 N. State Street, Ukiah (Redwood Community Services)
If you cannot attend this orientation, please call Redwood Community Services at 467-2000 to schedule an individual meeting.
For more information, contact Jenifer Elmer elmerj@rcs4kids.org or Willow Anderson 467-2000/Andersonw@rcs4kids.org
Author:
Jenifer Elmer
Resource Date:
May 11, 2015
Resource Type:
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