How Will Your Life Change When a New Child Comes to Live With You?
More than 60,000 children in California currently reside in foster care. Every day, more children and youth enter the foster care system and are in need of safe, loving homes. Some of our children and youth need a temporary place to stay. Others need families willing to commit to their care for a lifetime. All children and youth deserve to be raised in homes where they can thrive and reach their highest potential.
At any given time, in Santa Cruz County roughly 250 children and youth are in need of foster and adoptive parents able to care for them. There is always a strong placement need for older children, sibling sets, and children with special challenges.
Would you like to join us? Family and Children's Services of Santa Cruz County works with local families interested in extending their homes and their hearts to children and youth in need.
Attend an Orientation!
The first step to becoming a foster or adoptive parent is to attend an orientation. Orientations are currently being facilitated through Microsoft TEAMS video chats (similar to a Zoom meeting).
Upcoming orientations are set for the following dates:
- April 3, 2024
- May 1, 2024
- June 5, 2024
- August 7, 2024
- September 4, 2024
- October 2, 2024
- November 6, 2024
- December 4, 2024
To register, please call (831) 345-2700.
You can also email Lydia.Benavidez@santacruzcounty.us with any questions related to the orientation process.
Please note that we are in particular need right now of families who are able to shelter in with a COVID-exposed foster child. If this is something you are able to do, please contact at us at (831) 345-2700.