Families Uniting Families is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 federally and state charity exempt organization licensed by the State of California that is dedicated to preparing resource families—foster and adoptive—to care for vulnerable children who have been identified as victims of child abuse and neglect. We also provide a parenting support group and opportunities for bachelor and master level students in local schools of social work who require field practicum hours under our guidance.
The certification process generally takes about four to six months. However, this is just a general timeframe. Our preparation & certification team will provide on-going support and assistance regarding any questions throughout the application process.
There is an application packet, an orientation, training, CPR/First Aid, obtaining fingerprint clearances, and the completion of a home study. We are right there with you to assist along the way.
Foster parents and adoptive parents both take care of children who are placed into out of home care. So, after the passage of Adoption Safe Families Act (1997) the idea was to dually prepare families for both foster and adoption roles so that children would not continue to float in out-of-home care without some permanent connection to a family base. Resources parents are essentially prepared to take on both roles. However, no family is forced to only foster or only adopt. Your choice, as a certified resource family, is always most important. The idea behind this move is to ensure that children have safe and permanent families for the long haul. And, Families Uniting Families is licensed and equipped to manage this process.
You can choose to only foster or you can choose to adopt. Your family will be prepared and certified for both.
This would depend on your situation. Generally, resource parents will incur only minimal expense directly associated with the certification process. Typical expenses include fingerprinting fees and CPR and First Aid Certification. There may be additional items your family needs to furnish the bedroom properly.
Resource parents receive a reimbursement for providing care. The amount is determined by the age of the child. Rates range from $860 to $1027 per month. The children also generally come with an initial clothing allowance upon placement.
We serve children of all ages (0 to 21). Our greatest need is for teenagers, large sibling sets (three or more children), and youth 18 to 21 (Non Minor Dependents).
The children are from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All of the children have been through trauma, including abuse or neglect. They are kids who have so much possibility and in need of a family who can help them to realize this potential.
No, many of our families raise biological and foster children. It is crucial that your biological children are supportive of becoming a resource family. They really need to understand what that means. It is important that their concerns and opinions are given serious consideration.
Yes, two children may share a room if they are the same sex. We would also like to attempt to maintain no more than five year difference in age between the “roommates”. Each child must have a separate bed, closet space, and dresser.
You have the ultimate decision on any child being placed in your home. From the beginning of the process, we begin gathering as much information as possible regarding what child would best fit into your home. Once you are ready for a placement and once we have a child we feel may be a good match for your family, we will share as much information as possible about the child with you and address any questions you may have.
Most children arrive via County Departments of Children and Family Services due to family issues involving child abuse and/or neglect.
Our primary goal is to reunite every child with their family. Most of our foster children return to their birth families or extended family members. The goal for those in our foster/adoption program is that they will be successfully matched with a forever family and adopted. Some of the “teens” who do not return home to their birth families can emancipate as an independent adults, move to a transitional housing program, or stay with us while they prepare themselves to live self-sufficiently. Under our AB12-Non Minor Dependent Foster Care Program, these young adults can remain in care up to their 21st birthday.
About 12 months. However, length of stay can vary from one day until they reach the legal age of emancipation and can demonstrate an ability to care for themselves. However, they cannot stay placed beyond the age of 21.
Families Uniting Families receives about 90% of its funding in combination of county, state, and federal support. Given that the rates of reimbursement to all foster family agencies have not seen an increase since 1999 and that all foster family agencies in the State of California were given a mandatory rate cut that amounted to 10% in October 2009, it means that we need to raise about 25 cents for every dollar to provide the services necessary to carry our mandate. It is critical that Families Uniting Families seek additional funding in the form of cash donations (through fundraising and grants) and corporate sponsorship in order to remain responsive to the needs of children and families in our communities. If the public loses our support, it will be unable to address the needs of these children and families.
- Free orientation and preparation courses
- 24/7 assistance
- Monthly financial reimbursement
- Tutoring and academic support
- Parenting support and on-going education
- Medi-Cal for all children
- Hablamos Español
No big CEO bonuses here. Your contribution goes directly to work supporting programs that directly impact FUF youth and families.