Southern California Foster Family & Adoption Agency places children, aged newborn to eighteen, with families that have been recruited, trained, screened and certified.  Foster Care Social Workers (FCSW) are assigned to visit regularly to ascertain that the child is safe and well cared for.  The agency works in a team approach with the foster parent, FCSW, county social worker, birth parent (if possible) as well as outside professionals to see that the children are reaching their full potential.  The agency’s goal is to maintain a stable placement until the child is reunited with their birth parents or adopted or transitions out of foster care.

Foster/Adopt When reunification with the birth family is not possible, permanence is sought in the form of adoption with foster parents.  Trained for both foster care and adoption, potential adoptive parents work closely with agency staff during the process.  An adoption social worker is assigned to each parent; the social worker conducts home studies and offers emotional support and assistance through the process.  SCFFAA supervises each case until the adoption is finalized in court, and an adoption order is granted.  Mental health therapy is available to assist families, as appropriate.  Independent  SCFFAA assists families who are interested in independent adoption.  Attorneys and facilitators in the community match the families with children.  The agency provides home study services, emotional support, post-placement supervision, and adoption workshops.    International SCFFAA partners with numerous agencies that specialize in Intercountry Adoption. SCFFAA’s role is to prepare the international home study, provide post-placement supervision, and assist with re-adoption once the child is brought to the United States.  The agency also connects families adopting from the same country to local support groups.

Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency provides specialized trainings free of cost for those interested in becoming foster and adoptive parents. Families who are interested in international or independent adoption may attend our adoption trainings, in addition to arranging for the agency to do the adoption homestudy.   Certified foster parents must complete 15 hours of training every year.  Continuing education on important topics relevant to the care of foster and adoptive children is offered approximately 7 times a year.

CALENDAR

Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency has an on site Mental Health program with staff therapists, offering mental health services to foster and adopted children and their families. In conjunction with individual therapy for children, our services also include family therapy and individual and/or couples therapy for parents. We also offer support groups for pre and post adoption services. Any family member involved with the child can be part of the therapeutic process. Your family is eligible to take advantage of this opportunity either now or at any time in the future until your adopted child turns 18. The services offered through SCFFAA are charged to Medi-Cal and there is no individual cost to our families. Therapy sessions can take place at our office or in the family's home. Support groups occur in the SCFFAA office. One of the concerns in the adoption community is that, despite the availability of many competent therapists, there are few clinicians with expertise in the issues surrounding foster care and adoption. The mental health staff at Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency does have this expertise; each therapist is familiar with and knowledgeable about the children and families we are servicing.

The Youth in Transition Program is designed to assist foster youth in improving their sense of self, create lasting and healthy  interpersonal relationships and prepare for the future.  The youth participate in educational workshops, cultural events and other character building activities.  Led by Lianne Goldsmith, SCFFAA Youth Program Coordinator, the program's ultimate goal is to prepare the youth for a successful transition to independence.  Since its beginning in 2007, the youth have met regularly and participated in a wide variety of activities, including a weekend retreats at The Ojai Foundation and Temescal Canyon.  As a result of these experiences and the youth's input, the program was enhanced and renamed "Youth in Transition."  The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Weingart Foundation and the Chapman & Associates Foundation enabled the program to get underway.