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San Luis Obispo County, California

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Foster Care

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Is your family complete? Do you have room in your heart, in your home for one, maybe two more? Please call (805) 781-1705 if you would like to explore becoming a foster parent in San Luis Obispo County FC pic_1

 

Becoming a Foster Parent

Each year children are placed into foster care for a variety of safety concerns involving issues of abuse and or neglect. When youth are removed from their homes the first choice for placement are relatives or “non-relative extended family members” that the youth has an existing relationship with. When these resources are not available children are placed into foster homes. Preferably, these homes are within the community the child currently lives in to maintain school enrollment, friendships, community ties, etc. For six to eighteen months, reunification services are provided and the Department of Social Services then works closely with parents, family members, community agencies and other support services to help reunite children back with their family.

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 All efforts are placed upon reunification, however, in the event reunification is not successful it is hoped that the child’s first placement can also be a permanent placement to avoid additional disruptions, losses and moves for the child. Looking at both the first goal of reunification and the possibility of adoption or other long term living arrangement other than with the parent’s for the child’s future is called “concurrent planning.”  When efforts to reunify are not successful or are determined to not be in the best interest of the child then a permanent plan is considered for the child and adoption is often the preferred choice because it is the most permanent.

If the court determines adoption to be the permanent plan for the child then an adoptive family is identified for the child (preferably the child’s current placement) and efforts are then focused upon moving the child towards the permanence of adoption. The families caring for these children become a “resource” for them and this is why our agency refers to our families as “Resource Families” instead of foster or adoptive families as families caring for children may foster, adopt a child or both. Please call 781-1705 to learn more about becoming a “Resource Family.”

Click here for more information about how to become a Foster Parent.

 

Children in Foster Care

There are currently approximately 300 children in foster care in San Luis Obispo County. All of these children need a safe and loving home with a foster parent or foster parents to care for them during their time in foster care. Children can come into care at any age from birth up to age 18 years, and may stay in care for a few days, an extended time or anywhere in between. The needs of each child and family are unique and affects the length of time foster care is necessary.
Click here for thoughts from foster youth. 

 

Foster Care Beyond Age 18

The California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB-12) became law on January 1, 2012 and extends services and a youth’s financial foster care rate benefits for youth who are 18 years old. The assistance can now last until youth turn 20 years old.  Click here to learn more.

You can view a series of three minute introductory videos, created with the help of former foster youth, which provide young adults with clear information on California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act and specific information on eligibility, placement and probation. To view the videos go to http://www.youtube.com/user/After18CA.

Click here for the youth conversation guide associated with the video.
Click here for the caregiver conversation guide associated with the video.

We hope these videos provide young adults and cargivers with important information which will assist eligible youth in making informed choices about their future.

For more information please visit the After 18 website at www.after18ca.org.

 

Siblings

Siblings are often the longest relationship experienced in life, and when children come into foster care every effort is made to place siblings together whenever possible. This is not always possible due to a lack of homes available to take sibling groups, especially sibling groups larger than two.

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There is a great need for foster homes that can take siblings and help maintain these special sibling connections.

 

Foster Parents

There is room for everyone! Every foster family is unique and each home is a valued resource for the youth in our community. Some are traditional families with a working father, and a mother that stays at home. Some families have two working parents with adequate child care. Others are single parents and some are in committed domestic partnerships, while others are older foster parents with plenty of energy!

While foster parents are a diverse group, they share a commitment to meet the needs of children during a difficult time and strive to nurture the children in their care.

For information about our local Foster Parent Association and to obtain an application please click here .

Here is a list of some of the basic requirements to become a foster parent:

  • Have a stable home
  • Sufficient income
  • All members of the household in good physical and mental health
  • Criminal background clearance
  • TB clearance for all adult members of the home
  • Sufficient sleeping and living areas
  • Satisfactory personal references
  • CPR and PRIDE training
  • Other requirements as requested

     

Click here for resources for the foster care community on the web.

 

Click here for thoughts from Foster Parents.

 

 

 

 

Youth Calendar Project

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The San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services is proud to bring you our Youth Calendar Project. We hope you will enjoy this 12-month 2013 calendar that is filled with beautiful photographs of foster youth and some of the community agencies that help serve these youth.

This project is intended to help connect foster youth with the resources they need, whether that is a permanent family, a musical instrument or the lessons that go along with it. Moreover, the project seeks to raise awareness for the need for foster and adoptive families.

We hope you will enjoy the amazing photographs of the youth who have participated in this project. There are approximately 300 more youth in foster care in need of resources. If you believe you can provide support to a foster youth or would like information about foster care or adoption, please call 805-781-1705 for additional information.

Click here for a list of the locations where the calendars are available.

 

Foster Parent Newsletter - The PEN

Click here to read the latest issue of our quarterly Parent Empowerment Newsletter, "The PEN".  Our newsletter helps to educate, support and connect foster, adoptive, resource and kinship parents.  Back issues available here.

 

Foster Parent Training and Events

Click here for information about Foster Parent Academy classes.
Click here to find out about upcoming workshops and events.

 

SLO County School District Liaisons

Click here to open a list of Homeless and Foster Care Liaisons at the various schools in the County.

 

Foster Care Snapshot Report

Click here to view the semi-annual snapshot of the Foster Care Program in San Luis Obispo County. This is a Powerpoint slide show. Click on the image to move forward in the show.  Click the back arrow to return here.

 

Survey of Parents and Foster Parents

The San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services encourages you to participate in a statewide survey of parents and foster parents.  The survey will establish a baseline on the quality of social work in the state.  For more information about the survey please click here.

 

Foster Care Caseload Statistics

Click here to view Foster Care caseload statistics.

 

Please call (805) 781-1705, or click Contact Us, to become a Foster Parent.

Click here to return to the Social Services home page.

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