BOUNTIFUL -- An information meeting is scheduled to acquaint people with the foster parents program on Nov. 30, here. It will be held at the South Branch Library, 725 S. Main, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The meeting is part of the Utah Foster Care Foundation's efforts to actively recruit foster and adoptive families in Davis County. Basic information will be provided to those interested in foster care.

Training will be held in Bountiful in January for those who believe they would be interested in participating. A meeting can be set up with a recruiter for an initial consultation prior to the training.

Potential foster parents must complete 32 hours of training before they become licensed.

Basic qualifications in-clude: family members 18 years and older must pass a criminal background check; foster parents must be over 21 years of age; foster parents must earn a stable income.

Participants can be single or married, but not in a cohabitating relationship; a stay-at-home or working parent, but cannot be providing licensed day care in your home; of any race, ethnicity or religion; with or without your own children; a renter or home owner; experienced with or willing to learn about children with special needs.

Foster parents select the desired age range and gender of children who come into their home. However, a special need exists for families willing to care for sibling groups, so brothers and sisters can stay together. There is also a need for ethnically diverse families.

For more information, call the Utah Foster Care Foundation at 1-877-392-1114 or visit their website, www.utahfostercare.org.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com