May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize that we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. There are approximately 64,000 children in foster care in California. Los Angeles County’s foster care population exceeds 21,000 children with 450 foster children waiting to be connected to a family who will adopt. For those interested in learning more about foster care or becoming a resource parent, Children’s Bureau offers monthly information meetings throughout Los Angeles.

Each day, Children’s Bureau Resource Parents say: “I protect and nurture children. I meet children’s developmental needs. I support children’s relationships with their birth families, and I do all this as a member of a professional team.”

Individuals (single or married) who are interested in helping children find the love, stability and support a family can provide, are encouraged to attend the next monthly information meeting on Saturday, May 30th from 10:00 a.m. – Noon at the College of the Canyons, Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 222, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

Qualifying families receive training, certification and support. For more information, call (661) 272-9996 or visit the website at www.all4kids.org. An information packet or application may be requested by filling out a request form on the website, if desired. An application may also be printed directly from the website.

Children’s Bureau is a nonprofit leader in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. More than 28,000 children and families are helped each year throughout Southern California with services that include school readiness, parenting classes, family resource centers, support groups, mental health counseling, foster care, adoption and more. Founded in 1904 to protect children, Children’s Bureau began providing adoption services in the 1940’s in response to the increased need of finding homes for World War II refuge children and war orphans. Today, we help 500 at-risk children in caring foster homes and finalize over 100 adoptions each year.