Foster families urgently needed in Sonoma

Every day, 50-75 Sonoma County children and teens need a safe place to live in our community. There is currently an urgent need for foster parents and adoptive families to open their homes to local foster children.

Local families can learn about whether foster parenting at Explore Foster Parenting, a one-hour discussion held monthly, 6 to 7 p.m., at 2255 Challenger Way, Suite 100, Santa Rosa.

The dates for 2019 talks are: Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 20, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 25 and Dec. 16. For information and to reserve a seat, call 565-4274.

Attendees can hear from experienced foster parents and local foster care agencies, including the Sonoma County Human Services Department Family, Youth and Children’s Division, TLC Child & Family Services, Alternative Family Services, Lilliput Families and Seneca.

Attendees can learn about the different types of foster parents:

Provide a temporary home as an emergency foster parent or foster parent,

Foster parent a child with the potential of adoption, or

Rent out a room and act as a mentor to an older foster youth going to school or working.

For more about becoming a Sonoma County foster parent, visit sonomafostercare.org.