Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services opened its Foster Family Agency 
program in1993 in response to an increased need for quality foster homes in 
which to place abused, abandoned and neglected children. 

The ages of the children placed, all referred by the Los Angeles County 
Department of Children and Family Services, ranges from birth through 17 years. 
Optimist is licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services to 
recruit, train, and certify foster parents. Our trained social workers provide ongoing 
support to our families and the children. This is done through regular visits and an 
on call system that makes services available twenty- four hours a day seven days 
a week. In addition social work staff compile comprehensive treatment plans, 
monthly reports and referrals for outside services if necessary. We currently serve 
over 175 children a day with offices in Eagle Rock, Long Beach, Palmdale and 
Tustin and have served well over 5000 children in loving and caring foster homes 
since 1993.

All Optimist foster parents receive at least 30 hours of formalized training as well 
as certification for first aid and CPR. In addition we provide some financial assistance 
to aid foster parents in caring for the children. 

Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services received its adoptions license in 1999. 
This program was added to enable us to help children in foster homes to be 
permanently placed through the adoptions process. It is our firm belief that all 
children deserve a permanent home and family. 

                        Optimist Foster Family and Adoptions Agency
                        7003 No. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042
                                        Tel.: 800-454-5561
                                    e-mail:  kids@oyhfs.org