About the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program

Foster Care Education classes have been available to California foster parents since 1985 through the community college system. Classes are offered at the Merced & Los Banos Community College Campuses as well as various other locations throughout Merced County. The purpose of the Foster & Kinship Care Education Program is to:

• Assist our foster and kinship parents
• Support the foster and kinship parents as they care for our community's children
• Strengthen their parenting skills

California Community Colleges that participate in the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program are funded through the Chancellor's Office. The Chancellor's Office receives its funds from the State and Federal government.

Our Mission:

The mission of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program is to provide quality education and support opportunities to caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth in the foster care system.