Annually, in the U.S., there are over 400,000 children in the foster care system. These children are temporarily removed from their parents’ care due to neglect, abandonment, and/or abuse. In contrast, only 200,000 Resource (Foster) families are available to take care of them. In Los Angeles County alone, there are nearly 35,000 children in foster care, but only about 3,000 Resource (Foster) homes. These children are survivors of abandonment, abuse and neglect. They are in dire need of loving and caring families.
In Los Angeles County, there are over 600 Asian American Pacific Islander (API)children in the foster care system. However, there are only a few approved API Resource (Foster) families who may serve as a culturally-appropriate match. Children of immigrant households often do not learn English until they start Kindergarten or later. Being placed in non-API Resource (Foster) homes that lack knowledge about the children’s language, food or culture can compound the existing anxiety, confusion and trauma.