Children’s Bureau is offering an online foster-adoption orientation for individuals or couples who are interested in either temporarily or permanently adopting children in the foster care, officials said Wednesday.  

Due to the current health crisis, the need for foster and adoptive resource parents to help local at-risk youth stay in their communities has spiked, according to Children Bureau officials. 

In Los Angeles County alone, the foster care population exceeds 21,000 children with 200 of those foster children waiting for an adoptive family. 

“Many of these children are siblings in need of families who are willing and able to keep them together,” Children’s Bureau officials said. 

In fact, the Children’s Bureau turns away at least 10 sibling sets weekly due to lack of families, according to officials.

“Being a resource parent lets you help someone in their time of need. You’re the support system for a child and for their parents,” Brittany, who with her husband Jeremy, foster-adopted two sibling children said.  

The couple has three biological children and knew that fostering was something they wanted to do.  

“Children’s Bureau has been there to help get us through the challenging times and to celebrate the special moments, especially when the adoption of our two children was finalized,” Jeremy added. 

Watch Brittany and Jeremy’s story here.

Children’s Bureau welcomes every individual regardless of race, age, religion, disability, marital status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression to become a resource for children, according to officials. 

Qualifying families receive training and support throughout their journey.  

For questions or to get started, call 800-730-3933 or click here to complete a quick inquiry form.

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