“Resource family” is a newer term for “foster family.” This change was part of the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR), launched in early 2017 by the State of California. The goal of CCR is to create better outcomes for children in foster care. CCR includes:

• A trauma-informed model of care to better prepare families and caregivers.

• Uniform assessments, checks, and training for all resource families.

• A seamless transition to permanency for each child.

Foster care is a temporary living situation for children whose parents are unable to care for them at this time. While in foster care, children may live with relatives, with resource families, or in group facilities.

The approval process begins by completing a phone screening with one of our Angels staff members followed by the completion of an application packet. After the application packet has been reviewed and approved by our team, each prospective Angels Resource Parent will need to complete asynchronous and synchronous online trainings, a medical clearance, background checks, first aid/CPR/water safety certifications, a family assessment, a home assessment, and additional required documentation.

No. Angels is not a government agency. Angels is a non-profit Foster Family Agency (FFA), operating independently, but in cooperation with the County of Santa Barbara, Department of Social Services. Angels is licensed by Community Care Licensing (CCL) with the State of California, Department of Social Services.

Angels Resource Parents:

·   Receive regular visits and support from their assigned Angels social workers, who also attend all court dates and assist with parent visits. In addition, Angels provides support to Angels families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any urgent situations that may arise.

·   Are thoroughly screened and trained before receiving their foster child. Angels is the only local program that offers in-depth training specific to infants and toddlers.

·   Must provide a full-time parent (or similar child care arrangement) in the home.

·   Agree to care for one child until a permanent placement can be made and are carefully matched to the child to ensure that the first foster placement is the best and only placement.

·   Are permitted to foster only one child or one sibling set at a time.

Angels receives child referrals from County of Santa Barbara, Child Welfare Services. All Angels children are residents of Santa Barbara County.

Angels Resource Parents are compassionate and conscientious individuals with a deep love of children, a track record of positive parenting, and the financial ability to provide for an additional child. In addition, Angels resource parents view fostering as an opportunity to contribute to society by making a difference in the life of a child.

Angels is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through private donations from individuals, philanthropic foundations, and government funding. All funding received is used to recruit, train, and support Angels families and their foster children. The Angels Board of Directors are volunteers and receive no monetary compensation.

One in four foster children enters the system before his or her first birthday. Newborns make up the largest percentage of this group.

Typically, the medical issues Angels babies face are related to neglect, abandonment, malnutrition, physical abuse, or in-utero substance exposure they may have experienced. Responsive and nurturing families are one of the very important remedies for these maladies.

Every child receives Medi-Cal coverage. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services (ie. medical, dental, counseling, and other health-related expenses) for children in foster care.

Angels does not pay its Resource Parents to care for children. However, Angels families do receive a reimbursement of approximately $1300/month from Child Welfare Services to cover expenses such as diapers, clothing, and other necessities. Families may also receive assistance for additional food costs through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. All medical and legal expenses are covered directly by the State of California.

Most children placed in foster care have court-ordered reunification plans, including visitation with their parent/s. Visitation is typically supervised by Angels staff and held at Angels offices or Child Welfare Services offices. Visits do not happen at the home of the resource parents. Resource parents’ names and addresses are always kept confidential.

Angels Resource Parent training classes are conducted by Angels social workers and expert speakers on medical, developmental, and psychological issues, including caring for substance exposed infants, understanding the signs of appropriate and inappropriate attachment, and intervention strategies.

Additionally, trainees participate in online training sessions in the evenings and complete independent study work focused on self-reflection and application of training class materials. Training is typically offered four times per year for prospective Angels resource parents who have approved applications. Times and dates will be announced to approved attendees.

Each child’s situation is different. The Juvenile Court offers reunification services to most parents. However, parents must complete their court-ordered case plan to regain custody.

At Angels, we ask that our resource families commit to caring for the child in their home until a decision is made about the child's permanent placement. At that time, children are typically either reunified with their parents, transitioned to relative homes, or the adoption process begins.

You should expect to provide care for a child in foster care for 7-12 months, though this can be shorter or longer depending on the specifics of the child’s case.

Yes.

When reunification efforts are unsuccessful, Angels children become eligible for adoption and many Angels families choose to adopt.

Angels is here to support you every step of the way, by answering your questions and/or guiding you to the proper resources for help. Our social workers are always available to offer support on a daily or emergency basis and "seasoned Angels Resource Parents" often mentor new families.

Supporters of the agency make generous donations of many baby products for our Angels Resource Families to utilize.

Yes. Your tax-deductible contribution to Angels will help us continue to place young children in crisis into loving homes. Learn more about donating.

Or you can donate your time and talents as a volunteer. We have a number of events and fundraisers throughout the year where you can serve on a committee, help with spreading the word, or be an event host. Learn more about volunteering.

If you would like to use your leadership skills and community connections to help shape policy and build capacity for Angels Foster Care, you might also consider serving on our Board of Directors. Please contact us to discuss board leadership positions.