Holidays 3

In recognition of its effective program, Children’s Bureau recently received funding in four geographic areas of Los Angeles County to provide additional adoption education and support services. This includes a mentor program, support groups, mental health services and linkage to other community resources a family might need. The mentor program is particularly unique as the mentors are all parent volunteers who have adopted children themselves through foster or kinship care. The program also includes educating the community about adoption and the further need for mentors, as well as providing community training for mental health therapists about adoption issues.

AWhen a family is ready to adopt and they choose Children=s Bureau, our goal is to provide the information, services and support they need throughout the process and long after the final papers are signed. Our mission is to help these families stay strong, productive, and live successful lives,@ said Graham.

The Fohrenkam’s continue to do foster care and often speak at monthly information meetings to prospective parents. They highly recommend Children’s Bureau’s foster care program because of the 24-hour support and nurturing family environment. They’ve also been asked by Children’s Bureau to become mentor parents for other foster care families and are trying to find the time to so.

“These kids need a stable relationship. They need someone to listen to them and confide in. It’s hard for them. I’m happy to listen...it’s a joy and very rewarding when you see a positive change in them,” said Fohrenkam.

Children=s Bureau finalizes approximately 150 adoptions and serves more than 500 children in foster care each year. It is one of the largest private, non-profit adoption agencies in California and one of the few that is nationally accredited by the Child Welfare League of America. For more information, please call (800) 730-3933, Ext. 0 or visit www.all4kids.org .

For over 100 years, Children=s Bureau remains a non-profit leader in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. More than 14,000 children and families are helped each year throughout Southern California with services that include foster care, adoption, school readiness, parenting classes, family resource centers, support groups, mental health counseling and more.