Foster Youth

Trust does not begin simply because a service starts. For a child meeting a new caseworker, a parent navigating an unfamiliar system, or a young adult deciding whether to ask…

California is preparing for a major shift in how foster care support is funded. The state’s new Tiered Foster Care Rate Structure, or TRS, is expected to begin on July…

At Alternative Family Services (AFS), we know that every child and family entering the foster care system is coping with profound change and loss. Separation from family may have a…

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting youth and families before they enter the child welfare system, Alternative Family Services (AFS) provides school-based services as part of our broader…

Across the nation, LGBTQ+ youth are dramatically overrepresented in the foster care system. Research estimates that 20–34% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+, compared to just 10% of…

The journey for children and youth in foster care is often marked by significant challenges, and their educational experiences are no exception. Across the United States, including in California, the…