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OTHER WAYS TO HELP

If you can’t be a foster parent there are many other ways you may help Sonoma County foster children and foster families. Some ideas are:

Do you know someone who would be a good foster parent? Suggest that they consider foster parenting. Call Foster Home Developer for information at 565-4274.

• Provide respite care (babysitting) to foster children to give foster parents a break. Call Foster Home Developer for information at 565-4274.
• Be a mentor and advocate for a foster child by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Call 537-6375 or visit www.sonomacasa.org
• Rent a room to a foster youth transitioning to independent adult living. Rent is paid by the Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) and guidance is provided. Call Elisabeth Converse at 522-0328 for more information.
• Volunteer at Tamayo House (on Yulupa Ave. in Santa Rosa). Tamayo House provides housing for former foster youth ages 18-25. Contact Gina Bell at Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) 544-3299 ext. 206 for more information.
• Volunteer at Valley of the Moon Children’s Home in east Santa Rosa. Call Meg Easter-Dawson at 565-8383 for information.
• If you have a business, display foster parent recruitment pamphlets, or offer a discount, or free goods or services to foster families. Call Foster Home Developer for information at 565-4274.
• Offer an apprenticeship to a foster youth transitioning to independent adult living. Contact TBD.
• If you are a medical, dental, or mental health professional, consider accepting Medi-Cal for foster children. (Helping even one child is worthwhile!) Contact TBD
• Donate household goods to foster youth transitioning to independent adult living. (Computers, beds, bedding, and furniture in good condition are especially needed).
• Donate travel-sized personal hygiene products to homeless former foster youth. Professional clothing is also needed for foster youth to wear for employment interviews. Call V.O.I.C.E.S. at 579-4327 or go to www.onthemovebayarea.org/node/303
• Donate gift cards or gently used, smoke-free luggage to foster children. Call Meg Easter-Dawson at 565-8383.
• Donate money to Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation. Funds are used to benefit the children at the children’s home. Call 565-8380.
• Donate to help a foster youth with unusual needs (sports uniforms, prom expenses, music lessons, etc.). Call the Redwood Empire Foster Parents’ Association at 528-3672 or go to http://www.refpa.org/index.htm
• If you suspect a Sonoma County child is being physically or emotionally abused, sexually molested or abused, or neglected, call Child Protective Services at (707) 565-4304 or (800) 870-7064.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING FOSTER CHILDREN AND FOSTER FAMILIES!