MAYVILLE — There’s an urgent need for foster parents in Chautauqua County, and an upcoming open house will educate those who are interested.

The county Health and Human Services Department reports that over 100 infants, children and teenagers are currently waiting for foster care placements, and several of those are waiting to get into forever homes. An open house and orientation will be held Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Cassadaga Community Center, located at 25 Maple Ave., for those interested in looking into foster parenting.

Foster homes are places where children and teenagers stay on a temporary basis where adoptive homes are forever. The Health and Human Services Department says homes, temporary and adoptive, must be loving and safe environments where children can learn to give and receive love and develop to their full potential.

“An urgent, local need exists for loving foster parents for teenagers and children with special needs,” said Christine Schuyler, county director of Health and Human Services. “We hope that this event will help encourage people in our community to consider foster parenting and adoption.”

Foster care provides a temporary home until a child can be safely reunited with his or her family. When a court decides the child cannot safely return home, an adoptive home offers them a permanent, stable, loving family.

When children are placed in foster care or in a pre-adoption home, care givers are responsible for meeting their basic needs and providing a safe, loving environment. Foster placements and most adoptive placements are eligible for financial support to assure that the needs of these children are met.

“We need foster and adoptive parents who have faith in themselves and in children, who believe they can make a difference in a child’s life, who are willing to take a chance, and who are willing to learn,” Schuyler said. “Parenting is a tough job but also the most important one. Nothing is more rewarding nor is there any other endeavor that has such long lasting effects.”

The Health and Human Services Department says foster children and adopted children grow to be successful citizens, parents, employees and community leaders. Their success can be attributed to supportive foster and adoptive parents who believe in their potential.

Those who want to learn more about foster parenting and adoption are encouraged to attend the open house and orientation Thursday. If people are unable to attend this event and are interested in learning more about foster care or adoption programs, they are told to contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 661-8051 or 363-3570. People can also visit co.chautauqua.ny.us/fosterparents.