Families Needed To Foster And Support SMC Children This Holiday Season

BELMONT, CA — The Human Services Agency is urging San Mateo County residents to extend the holiday spirit by providing safe, stable homes for children and youth in need this year.

Children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect need caring adults to provide comfort and stability during uncertain times. The Resource Family Approval Program connects these children, who range in age from infants to young adults up to 21, with families who can meet this need.

"Every child deserves a sense of safety, belonging, and hope," said dJohn Fong, director of Children and Family Services for the San Mateo County Human Services Agency. "During the holidays, when family and connection are especially meaningful, we invite community members to consider opening their hearts and homes to a child who needs one."

Resource Families, formerly foster families, are a diverse group, including single or married individuals, younger or older adults, and both homeowners and renters. To ensure children are placed in environments that respect and celebrate their language and heritage, the county particularly welcomes applications from Spanish-speaking families and those from diverse cultural backgrounds.

San Mateo County employs a Concurrent Planning model. This approach means that, while the primary objective is always the safe reunification of children with their families, social workers simultaneously prepare for alternative outcomes, such as long-term placements or adoption.

Families get training, free CPR/First Aid certification, ongoing support, mentorship, and a monthly stipend for the child's needs. The free approval process takes about three months and includes background checks, home inspections, and orientation classes.

Discover how to become a Resource Family and create a lasting impact on a child's life by visiting www.helpsanmateokids.com, calling (650) 802-7636, or emailing ResourceFamily@smcgov.org.

“This holiday season, a child in San Mateo County may be wishing for something simple, a family to call home. You could be the answer,” said Paul Laustsen, a representative from SMC Human Services Agency.