Foster families needed in Sonoma

Every day, 50 to 75 Sonoma County children and teens need a safe place to live. There is currently an urgent need for foster parents and adoptive families to open their homes to local foster children, according to the county’s Sonoma Foster Care agency.

Local families can learn more about 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 upcoming talks are 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:

Those who provide a temporary home as an emergency foster parent;

Those who foster a child with the potential of adoption;

Or those who can 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.