With nearly 85,000 children in California removed from their parents' homes due to abuse or neglect and 9,000 children in California waiting for an adoptive home, there is a great need for caring adults to provide a loving, nurturing home as either foster or adoptive parents.

A parent orientation will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Children's Bureau offices located at 1529 E. Palmdale Blvd., Ste. 210, Palmdale. The meeting, which will be in English and Spanish, isfor all interested adults - single or married.

Foster parenting involves caring for a child on a short or long-term basis while adoption offers these vulnerable children a permanent, stable home environment.

In either situation, you have the opportunity to give a child who has been hurt either emotionally or physically, a life filled with love, hope and all the little things that make childhood special.

Qualifying families receive training, certification, funds and 24-hour support to aid in the care of their foster or adoptive children. Families who can provide a home for two or more children, enabling brothers and sisters to remain together, are especially needed.

Children's Bureau works every day to locate homes for children in need. For more information, please call 661-272-9996 or visit Children's Bureau's Web site at www.all4kids.org.

Training is provided by the Children's Bureau, a licensed foster family and adoption agency. Founded in 1904, the Children's Bureau provides professional treatment and prevention services to more than 14,000 abused and neglected children and their families each year throughout Southern California.