There are more than 13,000 Michigan children in foster care on any given day, and there are simply not enough foster homes to go around.

Oakland Family Services is seeking foster families in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties to provide safe, temporary homes for vulnerable children until problem situations in their own homes are resolved. Need is especially high for homes willing to foster school-aged children and teenagers.

“If we had a larger base of families, we would be able to find homes for more groups of siblings, teenagers, school-age children and those with a variety of behavioral and medical needs,” said Lynette Whitten, licensing supervisor. “At Oakland Family Services, we welcome all families who are interested in providing a home for children in the foster care system. You can be single, married, a same-sex couple, or living in an apartment.”

Foster parents must be:

• At least 18 years old,

• Emotionally, physically and financially stable,

• Able to meet the needs of the child or children in their care,

• Willing to work with the agency to complete a home study assessment, as well as other background clearances and training.

Attending a foster care orientation is the first step to becoming a licensed foster parent. Join us for one of our upcoming orientations to learn how you can make a difference in the life of a child!

2022 foster care orientation dates

Wednesday, Feb. 2 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 16 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, March 16 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, April 20 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, May 18 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 1 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, June 15 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 6 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, July 20 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 3 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 17 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 7 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 6-8 p.m.

For the foreseeable future, all orientations are being held online via Zoom. To sign up, please contact our Foster and Adoptive Home Recruiter Teresa Spong at (248) 858-7766 ext. 1236 or click here to fill out an online inquiry.

If you want to learn more about fostering through Oakland Family Services, click here to read our Foster Care FAQs.