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 private adoption may also attend our adoption trainings and additionally, we can assist you with the adoption homestudy.   All of our foster and fost/adopt parents are encouraged to attend our continuing education classes which are scheduled seven to eight times a year to receive credit hours for re-certification.

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.

Gay & Lesbian Parents of Foster and Adopted Children Support Group

In January 2008, SCFFAA introduced its Gay & Lesbian Parents of Foster and Adopted Children Support Group.  This monthly meeting is led by experienced social work professionals, and includes three support groups.  The first is for parents; the second and third groups are for teens and school-age children living with gay and lesbian families.  The groups meet for two  hours on the fourth Saturday of each month and are open to the community at large. The support groups were developed to address the specific needs faced by gay and lesbian foster and adoptive parents and their children, and to provide a safe space for them to talk about their feelings and the issues they face.  The groups offer a therapeutic environment with a supportive and educational component. The Gay & Lesbian Parents of Foster and Adopted Children Support Group was made possible by a generous grant from the David Bohnett Foundation.

Teens in Transition

The Teens 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 teens participate in educational workshops, cultural events and other character building activities.  Led by Lianne Goldsmith, SCFFAA Teen Program Coordinator, the program's ultimate goal is to prepare youth for a successful transition to independence.  Since its beginning in 2007, the teens have met regularly and participated in a wide variety of activities, including a weekend retreat at The Ojai Foundation.  As a result of these experiences and the teens' input, the program was enhanced and renamed "Teens in Transition."  The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Weingart Foundation and the Chapman & Associates Foundation enabled the program to get underway.