<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">There is an acute shortage of Foster Homes on the Mendocino Coast. About 30% o our children in Foster Care are sent out-of-county due to this shortage. These children, already subjected to significant trauma, are then further distressed by being sent to unknown places where they are subject to new schools and communities. Family reunification becomes more difficult. <br><br>If you have ever considered being a Foster Parent there is an upcoming informational meeting on Feb. 11 at CV Starr in Fort Bragg. I am forwarding this information on behalf of TLC Child and Family Services. Please contact them if you have any questions.<br><br>YOU’RE INVITED!<br><br>WHAT: TLC CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES IS HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE FOR ALL FAMILIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE ABOUT BECOMING A SHELTER, FOSTER, OR ADOPTIVE FAMILY<br><br>WHERE: C. V. STARR COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 300 SOUTH LINCLON STREET IN FORT BRAGG<br><br>WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, ANY TIME BETWEEN 4:00 AND 8:00 P.M.<br><br>Did you know that there is a foster care crisis in Mendocino County? Right now there are approximately 250 children from our county who are unable to live with their families due to allegations of abuse or neglect. As these children have entered the foster care system, nearly a third of them have been placed outside of our county because there are not enough local families available to care for them. There is a significant need for loving families to step forward to provide shelter, foster care, and adoption, for these children.<br><br>• Emergency shelter care is provided by specially trained and supported family homes.<br><br>Shelter care can last up to 30 days while the longer-term plan for the child is developed.<br><br>• Foster parents include the child in the foster family’s daily life, caring for their day-to-day needs, getting them to school, helping them with their homework, and supporting a normal life of childhood activities and friends. Foster care can last anywhere from a month to a couple of years.<br><br>• Adoptive parents make a lifelong commitment to a child. When a child in foster care cannot return to their biological parent or relatives, adoption gives them a forever family.<br><br>Did you know that there is a foster care crisis in Mendocino County?<br><br>TLC Child and Family Services is a nationally accredited agency that has been working with young people since 1975. TLC opened its Ukiah office in 1994 to serve Mendocino and Lake Counties. TLC has been a licensed adoption agency since 1998. <br><br>TLC’s office in Ukiah is located at 237 East Gobbi Street. Contact TLC Child and Family Services at 707-463-1100 or at <a href="http://www.tlc4kids.org/">www.tlc4kids.org</a>.<br><br><br></body></html>