Did you know…?
…the number of foster families in L.A. County dropped from 6,000 in 2008 to 4,000 in 2018.
…roughly 21,000 children in L.A. County are in foster care.
…up to 80% of foster children have chronic medical conditions or physical, developmental, learning or mental health disabilities.
A new grant from W. M. Keck Foundation will help Wayfinder address this critical shortage. Over two years, Wayfinder will use grant funds to enhance our recruitment of foster families and to expand our training of foster families, with a focus on children with health or mental health challenges.
Often, prospective foster families are hesitant to foster a child with a disability because they feel unprepared. A new training program developed by Wayfinder will fill this gap by supplying families with knowledge, resources and support.
In addition, the grant will bolster Wayfinder’s recruiting of foster parents—for all children, as well as for those with disabilities.
Wayfinder has the knowledge and experience to undertake this important work. We have decades of experience assisting children with disabilities. Plus, in recent years Wayfinder has expanded its child welfare services, including programs that serve foster youth with medical and mental health challenges and foster care and adoption services.
Through this grant, Wayfinder will increase the number of foster families, particularly those who are trained to foster children with health challenges. As a result, more foster children will find stable, caring homes.
Would you like to know more about becoming a foster parent? Contact Leslie Oropeza at (909) 305-1948 ext. 207 or LOropeza@WayfinderFamily.org for more information.
Read the rest of our New Heights newsletter.
May 6, 2019