There are currently 496,000 American children in the foster care system right now, and each one is in need of a safe place to call home. 44% of these kids enter the system before age six, and children who do not get adopted throughout their time in foster care may fall victim to a number of things, including homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment; they are also more likely than children outside the system to develop physical, developmental and mental health problems.

Being a foster parent is just as much responsibility as being a biological one, if not more so, as many foster children feel very vulnerable and will need extra love and support. Many enter the system abused or neglected; some have even witnessed horrors that many people do not see in a lifetime. That’s why it’s so crucial that they establish some kind of loving, supportive relationship during their youth; through this relationship, they can establish the necessary trust and bonding needed between humans to live a healthy, happy life.

If you cannot have children but want them, are finished having children but believe “the more, the merrier,” or if you are considering adoption, foster care may be the option for you. This site lists all of the information you need from a legal perspective when considering fostering or adopting a child, and this list of questions and resources may help you decide whether being a foster parent is for you.

Even if you can’t be a foster parent, there are a number of things you can do to help foster children. To get involved with National Foster Care Month, click here to see what you can do—whether you have minutes, hours or more time to give.

You can also help current foster families with respite care during an emergency, drive children to their appointments, or raise funds to help care for foster kids. You can get many more ideas here.

Try being a Big Brother or Big Sister and mentor a child. You can do activities, help with homework, and be there for the child. Children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are 52% less likely to skip school.

To learn about the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which will help abused and neglected children, click here.

To see the statistics on foster care in your state, click here.