History

Alternative Family Services has provided foster care, adoption and mental health services in Northern California since 1978. AFS is a foster, adoptions and mental health agency that has been creating safe, permanent connections for foster children and youth in the Bay Area since 1978. The mission of Alternative Family Services is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety and well-being in communities.

AFS currently serves the diverse and varied needs of 1,500 foster youth, plus their biological and foster families, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Sacramento Region. Services provided by AFS include therapeutic foster care, intensive treatment foster care, support for foster children with developmental disabilities, therapeutic visitation, community-based mental health services, transitional housing support, independent life skills training, and much more.

AFS employs case workers, home approvers, office managers, case aides, mental health clinicians, family counselors and other staff members of all creeds, colors, religions and walks of life. AFS is a vibrant community - a rich tapestry comprised of diverse staff, foster, adoptive, and biological families, volunteers and community partners who have been helping foster children and youth since 1978. We celebrate diversity, equal opportunity and excellence. AFS employs about 230 staff members from more than 12 countries with education ranging from high school graduates to PhDs to provide a wide range of foster, adoption, mental health and transition-aged youth services in English and Spanish.

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1973

    AFS begins as a project of Youth Advocates, inc.

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1978

    AFS is incorporated, begins as independent entity

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1980

    Extended Family Program

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1988

    Marin Independent Living Program

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1990

    Intensive Family Reunification Program

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1991

    Family Alternatives for Children with Disabilities

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1995

    Casas con Corazon

  • Dec 5, 2018

    1997

    AFS Adoption Agency

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2004

    Alameda County Mental Health Services

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2007

    Contra Costa Mental Health Services

    Solano Independent Living Program

    Marin Transitional Housing Program Plus

    San Francisco County Mental Health Services

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2008

    San Francisco Therapeutic Visitation Program

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2009

    Family Support Services in Sonoma County

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2010

    Foster Care Services in Sacramento County

  • Dec 5, 2018

    2011

    The Gathering Place