Families NOW

INCREASE PERMANENT FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS IN FOSTER CARE; PROVIDE SUPPORT TO NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL CHILD WELFARE AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES.

1. YOUTH PERMANENCY - THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS COUNTIES DEVELOP EFFECTIVE SPECIALIZED YOUTH PERMANENCY SERVICES AND REMOVE BUDGET BARRIERS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE WHO ACHIEVE PERMANENT FAMILIES. OUR FUNDING METHODOLOGY DOCUMENTS FISCAL DATA ON SAVINGS ACHIEVED WHEN YOUTH MOVE FROM HIGH COST FOSTER CARE INTO PERMANENT FAMILIES. REINVESTING THESE SAVINGS ALLOWS A COUNTY TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND SUCCESSFUL SPECIALIZED YOUTH PERMANENCY SERVICES AT NO NET COST. WE BRING THE FISCAL WISDOM OF PRIVATE SECTOR WITH ITS EXPECTATION OF A RETURN ON INVESTMENT TO COUNTY FINANCING CREATING A DUAL BOTTOM LINE, FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN AND LOWER COUNTY COSTS. SAMPLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: IN 2014 FAMILIES NOW WORKED CLOSELY WITH SACRAMENTO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THEIR ELECTED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND YOUTH PERMANENCY PRIVATE AGENCY PARTNER RESULTING IN A 50% EXPANSION IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTH SERVED BY THEIR SUCCESSFUL DESTINATION FAMILY YOUTH PERMANENCY PROGRAM. PROGRAM EXPANSION UTILIZED REINVESTMENT OF SAVINGS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. USING OUR REINVESTMENT FUNDING METHODOLOGY, SACRAMENTO COUNTY HAS ENJOYED A 100+% RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT OF COUNTY FUNDS ALLOWING THEM TO NOT ONLY SUSTAIN A FEDERAL GRANT-FUNDED YOUTH PERMANENCY PROGRAM SERVING OLDER YOUTH IN FOSTER, BUT TO ALSO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF YOUTH SERVED.

2. ENDURING PERMANENCY - THIS PROGRAM INCREASES AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH SPECIALIZED CLINICAL TRAINING IN GRIEF, LOSS, AND TRAUMA AS IT RELATES TO THE ADOPTION EXPERIENCE. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ADOPTION-COMPETENT CLINICIANS, CHILDREN ADOPTED FROM FOSTER CARE ARE AT UNNECESSARY RISK FOR DISRUPTION FROM THEIR ADOPTIVE FAMILY AND RETURN TO FOSTER CARE - ONE MORE DEVASTATING LOSS IN A LITANY OF PREVENTABLE LOSSES. SAMPLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: IN 2014 FAMILIES NOW SPONSORED ASSEMBLY BILL 1790 (DICKINSON) TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH SPECIALIZED CLINICAL TRAINING IN ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY ISSUES. THE BILL IS THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO ADDRESS THE GAPPING NEED FOR ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY COMPETENT CLINICIANS TO LOWER THE RISK OF DISRUPTION AND GIVE ADOPTIVE AND GUARDIANSHIP FAMILIES SUPPORT TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN HEAL FROM THEIR TRAUMATIC HISTORIES THE BILL IS NOW LAW. FAMILIES NOW LEADS THE IMPLEMENTATION.

3. EARLY PERMANENCY - THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES TRANSFORM THEIR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF RESOURCE FAMILIES, A NEW BREED OF FOSTER FAMILY THAT SUPPORTS SUCCESSFUL REUNIFICATION WITH BIRTH PARENTS, WHILE ALSO COMMITTING TO BECOME THE PERMANENT FAMILY IF REUNIFICATION EFFORTS FAIL. SAMPLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: FAMILIES NOW PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CALIFORNIA'S CONTINUUM OF CARE REFORM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CALIFORNIA'S RESOURCE FAMILY APPROVAL PROCESS - A NEW PARADIGM FOR RECRUITING AND APPROVING FAMILIES TO CARE FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, INCLUDING THOSE UNABLE TO REUNIFY AND IN NEED OF PERMANENT FAMILIES.