Throughout the year, the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency has an urgent need for foster and adoptive parents. In 1999, approximately 2,900 children required out-of-home care. More than 1,200 needed foster care placements, but the County had fewer than 400 licensed foster care homes.

Foster parents provide temporary care, love and support for children who are experiencing family crises due to abuse and neglect. A safe, caring home environment can give these children the stability they need to cope with feelings of abandonment, anger and loss. Approximately 47 percent of Santa Clara County's foster children are Latino, 31 percent White, 16 percent African American, and 5 percent Asian/Pacific Islander.

Foster parents receive:

• 24 hours of thorough PRIDE training
• Monthly financial assistance for each child they foster
• Medi-Cal health insurance for each child
• Advocacy and support services

Prospective parents can be single, two-parent, or same gender families of all ethnicities and income levels. The licensing process usually takes three to four months and involves an application, training workshops and certification in first aid and CPR. The Department of Family and Children's Services has launched a major campaign with a goal of recruiting 220 new foster families by July 2001. The campaign includes public service announcements, broadcast, print and bus advertising, presentations and participation in community fairs and other events. If you are interested in sharing your home with a child in need, please call 408.299.KIDS (5437).