We care about kids!
We care about kids!
Ventura County Foster Care Program What is Ventura County’s Need for Foster Homes? Some 216,000 children live in Ventura County. Of the 8,107 reports of suspected child abuse/ neglect the County received last year, 5,626 required investigation. Approximately 331 children were removed from their homes in 2009.* On average 30 children per month need a temporary home to ensure their physical and emotional well-being. Many of the children removed from their homes receive care from their relatives or family friends. However, approximately one third need a foster family who can provide the love and understanding that brings hope for a better future.* How many reports of child abuse/neglect were investigated in 2009, and how many resulted in the removal of a child(ren)?* Oxnard Region 45% 5,626 abuse/neglect reports investigated
East County Region 24%
331 removals
Ventura Region 31%
How many removals occurred in each city in 2009, and how many licensed foster homes were located in each city?* 0
10 12
Camarillo Fillmore Moorpark Oak View/Ojai
20
Santa Paula
Ventura
50
60
70
80
90
100
110 120
16
4 7 9 14 8 123 46 7
10 12
16 43
Simi Valley Thousand Oaks
40
5
Oxnard Port Hueneme
30
55 23 22 74
25
Removals
Licensed Foster Homes
*Data reflect Ventura County’s 2009 Child Welfare Case Management System reports.
130
Ventura County Foster Care Program Who are Ventura County’s Children in Foster Care? Children welcomed into foster homes range in age from newborn to 18, and are from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups. They have often been abused, neglected or deserted, or their parents may be ill or incarcerated. With the help of foster parents, there is hope for a better life. At any given time, some 700 children in the County are in out-of-home care. Approximately 50 - 60% of court-dependent children are living with their parents when their child welfare case closes.* Why Do Children Come into Foster Care?*
What Age are Children in Foster Care?* 6-12 years 31%
Neglect 48%
Other 1% Emotional Abuse 16% At Risk Sibling 10%
0-5 years 33%
Physical Abuse 17% Caretaker Absence/ Incapacity 3%
16-20 years 19%
Sexual Abuse 5%
What Ethnicity are Children in Foster Care?*
Latino 52%
White 38%
13-15 years 17%
African American 8% Other 2%
Who Adopts Children in Foster Care who are Not Reunited with their Parents?* NonRelatives 11%
Relatives 38%
Former Foster Parents 51%
Further Information If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or a resource family, please call (805) 654-3456, or visit www.vchsa.org. Resources for Foster Parents Financial Assistance – reimbursement for food, shelter, clothing, recreation, and incidental costs associated with foster parenting. Child Care/Respite Care Programs – subsidized child care and short-term respite care programs for foster children between the ages of 0-5. Training Programs – Community college course series designed to address the challenges of foster parenting; peer to peer training with experienced foster parents; in-home, specialized training for unique situations. Relative Caregiver Support – provides community-based support for relatives who have chosen to foster a related child. *Data reflect Ventura County’s 2009 Child Welfare Case Management System reports. HSA-058 05/10
www.vchsa.org
Ventura County Foster Care Program What is Ventura County’s Need for Foster Homes? Some 216,000 children live in Ventura County. Of the 8,107 reports of suspected child abuse/ neglect the County received last year, 5,626 required investigation. Approximately 331 children were removed from their homes in 2009.* On average 30 children per month need a temporary home to ensure their physical and emotional well-being. Many of the children removed from their homes receive care from their relatives or family friends. However, approximately one third need a foster family who can provide the love and understanding that brings hope for a better future.* How many reports of child abuse/neglect were investigated in 2009, and how many resulted in the removal of a child(ren)?* Oxnard Region 45% 5,626 abuse/neglect reports investigated
East County Region 24%
331 removals
Ventura Region 31%
How many removals occurred in each city in 2009, and how many licensed foster homes were located in each city?* 0
10 12
Camarillo Fillmore Moorpark Oak View/Ojai
20
Santa Paula
Ventura
50
60
70
80
90
100
110 120
16
4 7 9 14 8 123 46 7
10 12
16 43
Simi Valley Thousand Oaks
40
5
Oxnard Port Hueneme
30
55 23 22 74
25
Removals
Licensed Foster Homes
*Data reflect Ventura County’s 2009 Child Welfare Case Management System reports.
130
Ventura County Foster Care Program Who are Ventura County’s Children in Foster Care? Children welcomed into foster homes range in age from newborn to 18, and are from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups. They have often been abused, neglected or deserted, or their parents may be ill or incarcerated. With the help of foster parents, there is hope for a better life. At any given time, some 700 children in the County are in out-of-home care. Approximately 50 - 60% of court-dependent children are living with their parents when their child welfare case closes.* Why Do Children Come into Foster Care?*
What Age are Children in Foster Care?* 6-12 years 31%
Neglect 48%
Other 1% Emotional Abuse 16% At Risk Sibling 10%
0-5 years 33%
Physical Abuse 17% Caretaker Absence/ Incapacity 3%
16-20 years 19%
Sexual Abuse 5%
What Ethnicity are Children in Foster Care?*
Latino 52%
White 38%
13-15 years 17%
African American 8% Other 2%
Who Adopts Children in Foster Care who are Not Reunited with their Parents?* NonRelatives 11%
Relatives 38%
Former Foster Parents 51%
Further Information If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or a resource family, please call (805) 654-3456, or visit www.vchsa.org. Resources for Foster Parents Financial Assistance – reimbursement for food, shelter, clothing, recreation, and incidental costs associated with foster parenting. Child Care/Respite Care Programs – subsidized child care and short-term respite care programs for foster children between the ages of 0-5. Training Programs – Community college course series designed to address the challenges of foster parenting; peer to peer training with experienced foster parents; in-home, specialized training for unique situations. Relative Caregiver Support – provides community-based support for relatives who have chosen to foster a related child. *Data reflect Ventura County’s 2009 Child Welfare Case Management System reports. HSA-058 05/10
www.vchsa.org
