[Archived] City of Alexandria Hosts Public Information Session on Foster Care and Adoption

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	August 25, 2005 PIO# 263-05/rdo	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

City of Alexandria Hosts
Public Information Session on Foster Care and Adoption

The City of Alexandria will hold a public information session on Foster Care and Adoption on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 7 pm at the Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. During this session, current foster care parents will join City social workers in sharing information on how interested individuals may become foster care or adoptive parents.

The City’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking Alexandria residents who own or rent a residence within the City limits and are willing to accept infants and toddlers, teens, pregnant teenage girls or girls with infants into their homes. Currently, Alexandria has over 200 children in foster care, a number which represents a 30-percent increase since 2002.

“We are looking for foster families or individuals in Alexandria who are willing to open their homes and hearts with love and care, providing guidance and a safe, stable environment in which these children can grow and learn,” said parent recruiter Karen Chaudhry with the DHS Child Welfare Services Resource Unit.

A monthly stipend helps to cover the child’s expenses and Medicaid provides health care. Foster care parents may be married or single and can be either homeowners or renters. They must reside in the City. Both English- and Spanish-speaking foster parents are needed.

For more information about foster care and adoption or about the public information session, call Karen Chaudhry of the City’s Department of Human Services at 703.838.0771.

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