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Lake County officials urge residents to become resource-family homes to keep foster youth local
Summary
Lake County Social Services staff told the county board in May 2025 that the county needs more resource-family homes to reduce out-of-county placements and support reunification; they described the application, training, respite options and a volunteer "foster neighbor" program.
Lake County Social Services staff urged residents at a May 2025 Lake County board meeting to consider becoming resource-family homes for foster youth, saying more local placements would reduce disruption for children and help with reunification efforts.
The presentation, led by Sherry De La Torre, program manager in the Resource Family Approval unit, said the county still lacks enough approved homes. From June 2023 to June 2024 Lake County had an average of 71 youth in out-of-home care; on average 49 of those youth were placed in Lake County, the presentation said. "Resource families can be anyone who applies and meets eligibility requirements," De La Torre said.
Keeping youth in the county, presenters said, reduces disruption and allows children to continue community activities and visits with parents while reunification is pursued. "It is very important for our youth to stay in Lake County as it lessens the disruption," the presentation said.
The presenters described the application and approval process: submit paperwork, complete a home evaluation and fingerprinting, undergo a family assessment and take required trainings, including CPR and first aid. Trainings are provided free and online, the presenters said. Once a resource family has a youth placed with them, they receive a placement payment to help meet the youth's needs.
Staff discussed supports for resource parents, including respite care when a primary caregiver needs a break and a volunteer-supported Foster Neighbor program. Respite can be provided by an approved alternate caregiver; that person may need fingerprinting. The Foster Neighbor program pairs volunteers with a resource home or a family in family maintenance to provide supports such as one meal a month, presenters said.
The presenters said the county application is online through Venti and the link is posted on the county foster-care web page. The slide deck included contact information for Lake County Social Services for people who want more information or help applying.
There was no formal board action reported on the item during the meeting; presenters invited board members and the public to contact Social Services for next steps.
