| Foster Care Programs
|
| -Short-term emergency shelter foster care
|
| -Long Term Therapeutic Foster Care
|
-Therapeutic Foster Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities
Adoption Programs
|
| -For families initially seeking children to adopt
|
| -Adoption 'conversion' program to assist foster families to adopt their foster children.
|
| - “Casas Con Corazón” - All of the above programs conducted in the Spanish language
|
The Extended Family Model
The goal of the AFS Extended Family Model of adoptions and therapeutic foster care is to provide children in need of family living situations with a diversity of opportunities to grow, trust, and bond within a family environment. We offer a rich network of supports to adoptive and foster parents including caseworkers, educational specialists, and tutors connecting every AFS child through the extended family to the community at large. The Extended Family maximizes each child's opportunity to develop healthy relationships with adults and peers, both at home and in the community.
The Children and Families
AFS accepts referrals from county departments of social services and juvenile probation. We also accept referrals of developmentally disabled children from the regional center system. Because of our individualized programming we are often able to succeed with children who have failed in other foster homes or in group or residential treatment settings.
All AFS adoptive and foster families have a deep commitment to the well-being of children, flexibility in dealing with a wide range of behaviors, and the ability to work cooperatively with AFS. AFS foster and adoptive parents include singles, couples, and non-traditional families representing a diversity of ages, religions, ethnic backgrounds, income levels and lifestyles. All AFS families complete an extensive certification process that includes pre-service training based on the nationally recognized PRIDE curriculum. AFS conducts all training bi-lingually in English and in Spanish. 
Casework Staff
AFS families are supported by a team of trained professionals. The AFS Caseworker is the adoptive or foster family's primary contact person in the agency. Since AFS Caseworkers have small caseloads they are accessible to foster and adoptive parents on a round-the-clock basis. Generally, families and Caseworkers plan to meet weekly. Caseworkers serve as liaison among the foster/adoptive family, placing agency, family members and other involved professionals. This team develops a comprehensive treatment plan for each child in placement.
Reimbursement
AFS foster families receive a generous monthly reimbursement for the support of the foster child as well as an incentive fee for attendance at training and support meetings. Medical and dental expenses of foster children are covered by Medi-Cal or private insurance. Families in the Emergency Shelter or Developmental Disability programs receive additional payment for the specialized services they offer. AFS sometimes offers interest-free loans to certified foster parents, depending on the circumstances.
Time Off
In addition to foster care reimbursements, AFS provides each foster family with regular respite care. This allows families to take time off from the demands of parenting. The children are cared for by a respite worker who is certified in advance and paid by AFS. Many families use relatives, family friends, or other AFS foster parents as respite workers.
Training and Support Groups
Regular training and support groups for AFS families are an integral part of the AFS program. Trainings cover a diverse array of topics from Discipline and Self Esteem, to Developmental Issues of Early Adolescence to The School System. Training meetings alternate with support group meetings where foster parents have the opportunity to share ideas and information. AFS foster parents are paid for attendance at training and support group meetings.
If You Want To Be an AFS Foster or Adoptive Parent
The process of becoming an AFS parent begins by calling the AFS home recruiter. This specialist will introduce you to each AFS program and help you choose the program that best fits you. The Recruiter will help you file your application and walk you through the AFS and state regulations.
For Information contact AFS at:
1 (800) 300-1022
Foster Care & Adoption Services
Cuidado de Crianza
Temporal y Servicios de Adopción
San Francisco & San Mateo
250 Executive Park Blvd., Suite 4900
San Francisco, CA 94134
415.656.0116 Fax 415.656.0117
Alameda & Contra Costa
111 Myrtle Street, Suite 102
Oakland, CA 94607
510.839.3800 Fax: 510.839.3888
Marin, Sonoma, & Solano
100 Corporate Place, Suite A
Vallejo, CA 94590
707.648.2000
Fax: 707.648.2300
Administrative Office
1421 Guerneville Road, Suite 218
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707.576.7700 Fax: 707.576.9700
To e-mail us, click on this link: afs@afs4kids.org
If you are interested, please fill out this form:
| 
