MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services’ Home Finding Team is hosting a Foster Parent Orientation on Monday, Aug. 19, at Mayville’s Lakeside Park in the Green Pavilion to the right of the playground.

Anyone interested in learning more about fostering in Chautauqua County is encouraged to stop by anytime between 3 and 6 p.m.

Residents of Chautauqua County who enjoy working with children and want to help families in the community are invited to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about various foster care and adoption programs and meet the Home Finding Team. Department staff will discuss the requirements to become a foster parent in the County. Events are free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required.

“Foster parents play a vital role in providing stability and care for children during some of the most challenging times in their lives,” said Audra Moeller, Senior Caseworker Home Finding of Chautauqua County’s Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services. “We are committed to supporting our foster families and ensuring they have the resources and information needed to make a positive impact in the lives of children.”

Foster care services in Chautauqua County provide out-of-home care for children in the custody of the Commissioner of Social Services. Foster care plays a crucial role in providing temporary, safe, and nurturing homes to children when their parents are unable to care for them. Children placed in foster homes may have been removed from their families due to abuse, neglect, or other family problems that endanger their safety. These children range from infancy to 18 years of age and may have special medical, physical, or emotional needs. They may belong to any ethnicity or race and may be part of a group of siblings who would benefit from remaining together.

Those unable to attend the orientation but are interested in receiving more information about the programs or becoming a foster parent, contact Audra Moeller by emailing moellera@chqgov.com or by calling 716-661-8212.

Information is also available at chqgov.com/humansocial-services/foster-home-finding.