TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the presentation about Share Your Heart... Share Your Home to raise awareness about the need for Foster and Adoptive Parents, and recognize the local foster parents who are providing stable homes to children in Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
One of the significant crises in our community that does not receive much attention is the need for adoptive and foster parents. More than 8,000 children in Los Angeles County, including 600 children from the greater Long Beach area are in need of a temporary safe, stable and loving foster home. In the county, nearly 500 children of all ages and ethnicities are waiting for a permanent, loving adoptive family of their own.
In partnership with Supervisor Don Knabe and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, we are working to raise awareness for this tremendous need, and to provide information to adults who might be interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents.
Foster and adoptive parents can be single, married, divorced or living with a partner. They can live in an apartment or house, and either rent or own. There is no minimum income requirement, other than supporting oneself and providing a safe and stable home. Financial assistance, medical coverage and supportive services are available.
A special Share Your Heart ... Share Your Home event is taking place on Saturday, October 5 from 11 :30 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. at the Expo Arts Center, located at 4321 Atlantic Avenue. A panel of foster and adoptive parents, as well as resource providers, will share their experiences and answer questions about what is involved in providing a stable foster or adoptive home.
To also help raise awareness, the Heart Gallery is on display in the City Hall lobby, presenting some of the children in need of permanent homes.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT