Foster Parents in L.A. County

Thank you for your very thoughtful and compassionate article regarding foster parents (“The Stand-Ins: Foster Parents Who Stick With County Program Take Their Roles Seriously,” by Myrna Oliver, Metro May 30).

The article clearly demonstrates the quality of care and genuine concern that foster parents bring to abused and neglected children in this county. Our programs for children simply could not function without foster parents--they are the heartbeat of the entire program. For those children who cannot be returned to their natural parents, or who must have a specialized placement in a group home, foster parents are the only resource.

We have some 3,800 foster parents in Los Angeles County who are constantly called upon at all hours of the day and night to provide services to children who often have been in deep trauma. It is a tribute to foster parents that most of these children are able to have stable and productive lives as a result of the care given them by foster parents.

It should also be understood that money received by foster parents goes for the needs of children and does not constitute any form of payment for services to foster parents.

Thanks again for a terrific article.

ROBERT L. CHAFFEE

Director, Department

of Children’s Services

Los Angeles County