My Mom

by Joshua Drake
(written at age 12, in foster care since age 5)

My mom was a thought in my mind.
Sometimes, I didn't believe there was a mom of her kind.
A smile, her love, I hoped I'd find, then she found me.
She's here, like a rock, never far away.
But always close in my heart every day.
She's mom to a dozen and still they'll come,
For there's always room in her heart for another one.
The gray in her hair is starting to show,
And there's extra lines from all her smiles.
Will she ever know what she's done for me and all the others?
No, probably not, but I thank God for my mother.

Mission Statement

Rainbow Valley Foster Care respects and values the foster youth we serve as unique individuals. Through safe and nurturing environments, enduring relationships, and high ethical and professional standards, we are committed to providing our youth with services and resources that will enable them to achieve their full potential.

History

Rainbow Valley started in 1990 with a group home for six adolescent girls in Snelling, California. In 1998, we expanded to include a Foster Family Agency. Rainbow Valley Foster Care serves both girls and boys. We have since moved to Merced to have easier access to services, and opened a second group home for adolescent girls. The focus for Rainbow Valley is to provide safe, nurturing environments in which our children can heal from the hurts they have experienced.

Foster Parenting

All children need a stable home. You could provide one for a foster child. Rainbow Valley Foster Care is accepting applications from caring, nurturing families and individuals to help make a difference in a young person’s life. Training, support, and respite are provided.


Please call 209-722-0202. A loving child is waiting for your call. Together, we work to provide a stable home for children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse, and abandonment. The lessons our children learn about being loved without being hurt will be passed down for generations to come.

I love the feeling of satisfaction of trying to make the world a little better in a small way, and I love dealing with the kids.  Kim Medeiros

What are the Qualifications?

The most important qualification for foster parents is the willingness to make a commitment to a troubled child. You will also need to provide a structured, consistent environment. Foster parents must be willing to attend at least 12 hours of training prior to a child being placed with you, as well as attend at least 20 hours of training every year.

As foster parents, you must have adequate space in your home so there are no more than two children in each bedroom. All adults in the home must receive fingerprint and child abus clearances from the state. You need a statement from your doctor that you are in good health and a tuberculosis clearance. Any adult who would be in regular contact wtih foster children must be fingerprinted and have a tuberculosis clearance. You need to have adequate income to provide for the needs of your family without the money you receive as foster parents. If you have a swimming pool, it must be fenced. You must be willing to comply with Community Care Licensing regulations.

We enjoy giving the kids the opportunity to do things and go places that they have not been able to do before, and to show them new options and opportunities.  It makes us feel good to be able to help someone else.  
Lorrie & Dennis Snyder

Why choose Rainbow Valley?

Our agency believes that the foster parents are the central parties in the treatent team, and that strengthening the parent-child attachment is the goal for all services.

Our agency recognizes and respects the unique dynamics and values each family offers.

Foster parents enjoy weekly contact with their social worker.

24-hour emergency assistance is available from your own family social worker.

Respite care for foster families will be arranged on a regular basis.

Our agency has a network of skilled, experienced foster parents willing to provide emotional support and ideas.

Contact Us

Orientation Schedule

2007: 

Oct 2 - 1:30; Oct 9 - 6:30
Oct 16 - 1:30; Oct. 23 - 6:30

Nov 6 - 1:30; Nov 27- 6:30

Dec 4 - 1:30; Dec 11 - 6:30

2008: 

Jan 8 - 6:30; Jan 22 - 1:30

Feb 5 - 6:30; Feb 19 - 1:30

Mar 4 - 6:30; Mar 18 - 1:30

May 6 - 1:30 or 6:30

May 20 -  1:30 or 6:30

June 10 - 1:30 or 6:30

June 24 - 1:30 or 6:30

July 8 - 1:30 or 6:30

July 22 - 1:30 or 6:30

Aug 5 - 1:30 or 6:30

Aug 19 - 1:30 or 6:30

Sept 2 - 6:30 ; Sept 9 - 1:30

Sept 16 - 6:30 ; Sept 23 - 1:30

Sept 30 - 6:30

Oct. 7 - 1:30; Oct 14 - 6:30

Oct 21 - 1:30; Oct 28 - 6:30

Nov 4 - 1:30; Nov. 18 - 6:30

Dec 9 - 1:30; Dec 16 - 6:30

All orientation sessions are on Tuesdays.