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Koreans attend foster home orientation in L.A.

March 18, 2014

There are currently 57 Korean children under the care of the DCFS

The orientation, which was the first step in a program designed to help families obtain foster home licenses, awarded certificates of completion to those in attendance.

By Kim Chul-soo

Korean children in need of foster homes with Korean families may soon be getting their chance.

36 Koreans attended an orientation on providing foster homes for Korean children, held jointly by Korean American Family Services (KFAM) and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), on March 15.

The orientation, which was the first step in a program designed to help families obtain foster home licenses, awarded certificates of completion to those in attendance.

Estee Song, project manager of the Korean Foster Family Initiative (KFFI), said there are currently 57 Korean children under the care of the DCFS but that not one Korean family has taken them in.

“I found out about foster homes recently but was surprised by the lack of participation by families in the Korean community,” said Seo Dong-wan, an attendee. He said he and his wife plan to provide a home for the children who need one in the empty rooms in their home.

According to KFAM, the entire process takes a year — after a background check and the submission of an application, interested foster homes must take a 33-hour class held by Los Angeles County officials and pass home interviews and screenings with social workers.

KFAM will hold information sessions about the KFFI on March 29 at the Youngnak Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, on April 26 at San Gabriel Karis Church, on May 17 at Cerritos Mission Church and in June in San Fernando Valley.

For more information, call (844) 532-6459.