Foster parent info sessions offered in Roslindale

By Kim Foley MacKinnon, Town Correspondent

The Home for Little Wanderers, the nation’s oldest child welfare agency, is launching a series of informational sessions in its Roslindale offices beginning Feb. 8. The nonprofit is actively seeking people to foster children in need.

According to a spokeswoman for the nonprofit, there has been an increase in recent years in the number of children referred to Intensive Foster Care programs from the Department of Children and Families. In statistics from 2010 the agency reported 6,108 children statewide needed homes.

“The Home for Little Wanderers believes that every child deserves a caring and loving home where they can thrive and grow,” said Lina Fox, recruitment coordinator for the organization.

At each two-hour information session, advisors will discuss why children are placed in Intensive Foster Care, how to become a professional foster parent, the support foster parents will receive and other details about what is involved. Each session will end with a question and answer period.

Boston-area foster parent Rose President says, “People are not aware of the devastation that exists within the Massachusetts child welfare system. I became a foster parent because I wanted to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Sessions will be offered six times, running through April at The Home for Little Wanderers, 780 American Legion Highway, Roslindale. For dates and times, to register and for more information visit www.thehome.org/fostercare or call 617-264-5323.