FOSTER & ADOPTIVE PARENTING INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
          When:    6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., First Tuesday of each month
          Where:   St. Thomas Church
                          50 E. Bagley Rd. (Near Baldwin Wallace College)
                          Berea, OH

KINSHIP CARE - WHAT IS IT?
Extended family members, i.e.: grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. (the Caregiver) raising a family member's child.
Informational meetings.....
          When:      11:00 a.m. to 12:15 P.M., Third Thursday of each month
          Where:    Y-Express in Parmatown Shopping Center at Ridge & Ridgewood Drive. Free Daycare is provided.

FOSTER PARENT
Foster care provides a stable, loving and structured home to meet the child's or children's physical, mental and emotional needs until they can return home or become adopted if reunification is not possible. The primary goal of foster care is family reunification. If this is not possible then an alternative permanent plan is developed. Foster parents have the responsibility of being part of the team helping children and their parents achieve this goal. Foster parenting then is not a lifetime commitment to the child/adolescent, but a commitment to be meaningful to a child's lifetime. Relatives can be licensed foster parents.

ADOPTION IS FOREVER!
Adoption is the method approved by law to establish the legal relationship of parent and child who are not to related by birth, with the same natural rights and obligations that exist between children and their birth parents. It is you becoming a child's mom and/or dad forever. Relatives can be approved adoptive parents.

CONSIDER BECOMING A KINSHIP CAREGIVER OR A FOSTER / ADOPTIVE FAMILY
You can make a difference in a child's life. The need is great in our community for safe, loving homes where children can grow and develop. Our goal is to place kids in a stable and nurturing family as soon as possible. Every child deserves a family of his/her own! Families may be licensed for foster care and approved for adoption with a dual home study.

What's a "Foster-Ware / Adopt-A-Ware" party?
It's an informal get together with at least two or more of your selected friends/family. House parties are designed to have fun, learn about Family to Family and learn more about foster care and adoption. All that's needed is your home, a small table, your enthusiasm and a list of family, friends, neighbors or those whom you believe would make a good foster/adoptive family.

Call the Collaborative at 440.887.4873 for more details on any of the above meetings and/or programs.