The Merced County Children’s Services Branch is responsible for working toward permanency for foster children and youth in our county. In working toward that goal, we recruit, evaluate, and approve families interested in becoming resource families to foster a child or adopt a child from foster care. We provide resources and support to families and children in foster care, including education, medical, mental health, and other support. We facilitate the process of reunification of families and youth in situations where reunification is possible. We also coordinate adoption of youth in foster care. We strive to make the process of becoming a resource family as streamlined as possible, and we offer online applications for resource families through our partnership with Binti. Learn more about becoming a resource family to foster a child here and to adopt a child here.