Quick look: The Orange County Department of Education and County of Orange Social Services Agency have partnered on a new video encouraging residents to consider becoming resource parents, highlighting the importance of stable homes, school connections and community support for children in foster care.
More than 2,000 children and youth were in out-of-home care through the County of Orange Social Services Agency in January 2026, underscoring the ongoing need for families willing to provide safe, stable and supportive homes.
To help raise awareness of that need, the Orange County Department of Education has partnered with the County of Orange Social Services Agency to produce a video featuring the personal experiences of a resource parent, a former foster youth and County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean, who was raised by a foster family.
Produced by OCDE’s Media Services team, the video emphasizes how supportive relationships and a sense of belonging can make a lasting difference in a young person’s life.
For the County of Orange Social Services Agency, a key priority is finding resource families who can help children remain connected to their schools and communities when they cannot safely live with their parents.
During the 2025-26 school year, Orange County’s school stability rate was nearly 70 percent for students in foster care, compared with about 93 percent for students overall.
The agency says resource families are especially needed for teenagers, larger sibling groups and children with complex medical needs.
Supporting foster youth in and beyond the classroom
OCDE’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program works with school districts, social services, the juvenile court and community partners to help students overcome educational barriers and maintain school stability.
During the 2025-26 school year, the program supported more than 2,150 foster youth and provided more than 13,700 educational services, including case management, advocacy, academic support and assistance with school transitions.
The program also employs eight Youth Voice Representatives who draw on their experiences in foster care to help inform services, participate in discussions with educators and social workers, and advocate for young people.
Among them is MK Sills, a former foster youth who appears in the video and shares how having a consistent, supportive caregiver made a difference during her time in foster care.
“I had the consistent support and love from that same foster parent the entire time I was in care, which is huge and amazing that I was able to have that because a lot of foster youth bounce, and they go between homes, between placements,” Sills said.
The video also features resource parent Erin Kim, who reflects on the challenges and rewards of fostering, and Bean, who shares how his foster family eventually adopted him after he arrived from Vietnam.
“OCDE plays a valuable role in the community, supporting all children including foster youth in achieving a bright future through a good education,” said An Tran, director of the County of Orange Social Services Agency. “That’s why we value our partnership with OCDE as a trusted carrier of our message about the importance of fostering youth.”
While resource parents provide homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families, reunification with parents remains the primary goal whenever possible. Residents who are unable to foster can still help by mentoring young people, volunteering, supporting resource families or donating essential items.
For more information about becoming a resource parent, registering for an orientation or finding other ways to support foster youth, visit oc4kids.com or call 888-871-5437.