Become a Resource Family
Each child deserves a safe and stable environment that helps them thrive. In Riverside County, approximately 3,000 children have been removed from their families because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. These children need love, consistency, and commitment. They need you.
Resource Families provide a caring and supportive environment for kids who cannot live with their birth families until problems are resolved. Resource families are part of a powerful, life-changing team that works towards the goal of reunification. This team consists of social services staff, biological parents, and you. Together, we can provide safe and loving homes for every child in our county.
To begin, call 1-800-665-KIDS. Learn more below.
For children who cannot reunite with their biological parents, foster
placement may be the first step towards adoption or guardianship.
Ready to get started?
The first step is to contact our partners at Faith in Motion to learn more, get connected with a local Foster Family Agency, and begin your resource family journey.
Get Started
Older Youth and Teens
Older youth, aged 10 and above, need foster care placements at higher rates than younger children. Teens are overrepresented in foster care and many have experienced long-term instability, multiple placements, and group homes.
In Riverside, we need more resource parents ready to accept, support, love, and nurture older youth. Teens in foster care have unique needs, including support navigating middle school and high school and getting ready for independence after foster care. You can help prepare teens for the transition to adulthood, including life skills and career readiness; it is vital to their future success. Recognizing the unique needs of these youth and ensuring they have a stable, supportive environment during their crucial teenage years can significantly improve their long-term outcomes and well-being.
FAQs
What is a Resource Family?
“Resource Family” means an individual or family that a County determines to have successfully met the application and assessment criteria necessary for providing care for a child or nonminor dependent who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department.