San Rafael, CA – We’re in the midst of the season of giving, and there never has been a more opportune time to consider opening up your home to some of the individuals in our community who are most in need.
This winter, the Marin County Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is experiencing a shortage of temporary foster homes for Marin’s most vulnerable children and is calling on all interested residents to learn more about foster parenting.
Foster parents provide temporary homes (typically for six to 12 months) to boys and girls of all ages and from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Foster parents may be any adult age, of any sexual orientation, and be single or part of a couple – married or not. They must be willing to work as part of a team and provide patience, stability and love to children who have experienced separation and the effects of abuse and neglect, but who are still growing and learning and can blossom in a family able to offer them safety. The County is especially in need of foster families who can care for sibling groups.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent for Marin children and would like to learn more about foster care, the Children and Family Services Division of HHS is offering an orientation on Wednesday, January 7 in San Rafael. A social worker and an experienced foster parent will be present to discuss the application and training process, the support offered by HHS, and answer any questions potential foster parents may have.
The orientation will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. in room 107 of the Marin Health and Wellness Campus, 3250 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael. If you are unable to attend the January 7 orientation, Children and Family Services will host additional orientations every month through the end of 2015. For more information and to see a schedule of 2015 orientations, visit the foster care webpage or call Cindy Wasserman at (415) 473-5028.
For accessibility accommodation, contact us in advance of the event at cwasserman@marincounty.org or TTY (415) 473-3232.