Family & Children's Services

 

Mendocino County Department of Social Services Family & Children's Services division works with families to keep children safe, healthy, and at home whenever possible. We investigate reports of child abuse and neglect and work with families to address safety concerns. When children cannot safely remain at home, we help find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.

We are here to help. If you suspect abuse of a child, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our 24/7 Emergency Response hotline is available to take your reports and provide guidance.

Call us toll free: (866) 236-0368

Please, call 911 if a life-threatening situation is in progress.

You may also report suspected abuse by faxing the following forms to (707) 463-7908

Suspected-Child-Abuse-Report-Form-BCIA-8572.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

Suspected-Child-Abuse-Report-Form-SPANISH-BCIA-8572.pdf(PDF, 3MB)

Lobbies are open to the public Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (closed 12pm-1pm) excluding County holidays.

 

Need Help Reporting Suspected Child Abuse?

If you're unsure whether to report suspected abuse, please call our hotline at (866) 236-0368. Our trained professionals can provide guidance and support in making the right decision.

Your Report Matters

Every report can help protect vulnerable children and youth. If you see something, say something. Together, we can make a difference.

Abuse can take many forms, and its effects can be devastating. Here are common types of child abuse:

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

When making a report, please consider the following:

• Observation: Did you witness the suspected abuse?
• Report: Has someone else informed you about the suspected abuse?
• Suspicion: Do you have concerns based on your observations or knowledge?

Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect

*This is not an exhaustive list of warning signs and, children may present differently depending on the situation and who is present. If you observe these warning signs, it's important to take action. Contact the Mendocino County Family & Children's Services hotline at (866) 236-0368 for guidance and support. Your observations could help protect someone in need.

Reports are essential for initiating support services that help children, youth, and families. In some cases of substantiated abuse, intervention by law enforcement may occur, which could include relocating the victim to a safer environment.

Our team is here to assist you through the reporting process. If you're unsure about whether to report, we encourage you to call us. Together, we can ensure that our children and youth remain save and healthy.

Additional Resources

 

Start Fostering Here

Children and youth in foster care come from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, ranging in age from newborns to 24 years old. Many of these children have experienced separation from their birth families due to abuse or neglect, but with the love and stability of a supportive family environment, they have the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.

Click here to start your Resource Family Application!

You may also call directly for more information at (707) 463-7990.

Lobbies are open to the public Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (closed 12pm-1pm) excluding County holidays.

Keeping Families Together

Whenever possible, we work to keep siblings together, giving children a sense of security and familiarity during a difficult time. We prioritize reunification with parents and families whenever it is safe and possible. As a Resource Family, you can support children’s healing and growth while also helping families work toward reunification.

Become a Resource Family

Opening your heart and home to a child or youth in need is the first step to becoming a Resource Family (foster parent). As a Resources Family, you please a vital role in a team of professionals dedicated to the well-being of children and youth.

Who Can Become a Resource Family?

We welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds, including:

• Adults of any age, gender, ethnic background, and sexual orientation
• Single individuals, couples, and families
• Homeowners or renters (houses or apartments)
• Full-time or Part-time (Respite) availability

Support for Resource Families

We provide the tools and resources you need to succeed, including:

• Monthly stipend: Helps cover the child or youth's needs
• Health insurance: Covers physical and mental health care for the child
• Respite Care: Temporary care to support full-time foster families
• Training: add language
• Support: add language about on-call, case management, etc.

Interested in Becoming a Resource Family?

Apply here with Mendocino County

Could you be the safe and caring home a child needs? 

Becoming a Resource Parent is a meaningful way to make a difference in a child’s life. By opening your home, you can provide safety, stability, and support to a child during a difficult time. Your care can help children heal, grow, and build a brighter future.

Relative Caregivers

At Mendocino County Family & Children's Services, we recognize and value the vital role relatives play in the lives of children and youth. Relatives provide essential family connections and support that can make a lasting difference for children involved in foster care.

How Relatives Can Help

Relatives can offer critical support in various ways:

• Providing Temporary Care: Offering a safe and nurturing home while parents work towrard reunification.
• Providing a Permanent Home: Becoming a long-term caregiver if reunification with parents is not possible.
• Maintaining Contact: Staying connected with the child/youth through visits and communication if unable to provide placement.
• Offering Additional Support: Assisting with services and resources to help the child/youth and their family.

Notification to Relatives

By law, Family & Children's Services must search for and notify relatives in writing within 30-days of a child/youth being removed from their parents. However, notification may not be sent if the relative has a history of family or domestic violence, as determined by the assigned Social Worker.

If you know you have a relative in foster care but have not received written notification, please contact us:

Family & Children's Services Resource Family Approval (RFA) Unit

(707) 463-7990

Your involvement can provide stability, love and a brighter future for the children, youth, and families involved in the foster care system.

Click here to apply to be a Resource Parent

There are also local agencies in Mendocino and Lake Counties here to assist you:

Support Programs

Mendocino County Family & Children's administers programs that support children, youth, and families with the goal of building safe, health, and thriving lives. Whether you or a loved one is currently involved with child welfare services or you simply want to learn more, you'll find information here about Family Reunification, Family Maintenance, Family Urgent Response System (FURS), Wraparound, Permanent Placement, Family Dependency Drug Court, Family First Prevention Services.

Navigating these systems can be challenging, and we hope this information helps you better understand the resources available.

Lobbies are open to the public Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (closed 12pm-1pm) excluding County holidays.

Family Reunification

When a child cannot safely remain at home, Family & Children’s Services may ask the Juvenile Court to place the child in temporary out-of-home care. The Court makes decisions to protect the child and ensure the legal rights of parents and children are protected. Parents and children have attorneys to help them through the court process.

When a child is removed from the home, Family & Children’s Services works with the family to address the concerns that led to the removal and support reunification whenever possible. A Social Worker works with the family to develop a case plan that outlines the services and changes needed to provide a safe home for the child.

Services may include:

• Parenting education
• Mental health counseling
• Domestic violence or anger management services
• Substance use treatment.

The family’s progress is reviewed by the Juvenile Court, generally every six months, to determine whether the child can safely return home.

While the child is in out-of-home care, regular visits with parents and siblings are encouraged whenever it is safe and permitted by the Court. Our goal is to help families make lasting changes so children can safely return home whenever possible.

Family Maintenance

When a child can safely remain at home or return home, the family may receive Family Maintenance services. These services provide support and oversight to help ensure the child remains safe and the family has the resources they need to succeed.

A Social Worker works with the child and family to develop a case plan based on the family’s needs. Services may include parenting education and support, mental health counseling, domestic violence or anger management services, and substance use treatment.

When Juvenile Court oversight is required, the Judge reviews the family’s progress, generally every six months, to determine whether the child can safely remain at home without continued Court or Social Worker supervision.

Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

FURS is a coordinated statewide, regional, and county-level system designed to provide collaborative and timely state-level phone-based response and county-level in-home, in-person mobile response during situations of instability, to preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth.

You can contact FURS 24-7 by phone, website, email, or in-person

(833) 939-3877

Email: info@cal-furs.org

How FURS Helps and Why It's Important:

1. FURS provides current and former foster youth and their caregivers with immediate, trauma-informed support when they need it.
2. Prevents placement moves.
3. Preserves the relationship between the child or youth and their caregiver.
4. Provides a trauma-informed alternative for families who previously resorted to calling 911 or law enforcement.
5. Reduces hospitalizations, law enforcement contacts, and placement in out-of-home facilities.
6. Promoted healing as a family.
7. Improves retention of current foster caregivers.
8. Promotes stability for youth in foster care, including youth in extended foster care.

FURS Services Include:

• A toll-free hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffed with caring counselors trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for children and youth impacted by trauma.
• County Mobile Response and Stabilization Teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• In-home de-escalation, stabilization, conflict resolution, and support services & resources.
• Ongoing support services beyond the initial mobile response.
• Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma.

Wraparound

Wraparound is a strengths-based planning process that engages children, youth, their families, and natural supports in a team setting. Unlike traditional service-driven, problem-based approaches, Wraparound focuses on identifying and building upon individual and family strengths to achieve positive goals and improve overall well-being.

A Team Driven Approach

From the outset, a child and family team is established to work collaboratively with the family in identifying their unique needs and strengths. The team then develops a customized service plan with specific strategies tailored to the child and family's culture, preferences, and identified needs.

Goals of Wraparound

Wraparound is designed to support children and youth in living and growing up within a safe, stable, and permanent family environment. For families involved in the foster care system, the Wraparound process aims to:

• Enhance Strengths: Develop a strength-based intervention plan with the child and family team.
• Promote Family Involvement: Ensure youth and parents have a voice, choice, and influence in decision-making.
• Utilize Community-Based Services: Connect families with local resources tailored to their needs.
• Foster Independence and Stability: Equip families with the tools to achieve self-sufficiency.
• Provide Culturally Responsive Services: Align services with the child and family's cultural background and preferences.
• Develop a Unified Plan: Coordinate responses across all life domains.
• Achieve Positive Outcomes: Focus on goal-setting and success-driven solutions. 

By embracing a holistic, family-centered approach, Wraparound empowers children and families to create lasting, positive change while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Permanent Placement

For children and youth who are unable to successfully reunify with their parents, our responsibility is to ensure they find permanency in a lasting, nurturing, and legally secured relationship with adoptive parents or legal guardians committed to their safety and well-being.

Alternative Care Options

In cases where adoption or guardianship is not feasible due to the child's specific needs, we strive to place them in a permanent foster home that provides a stable and nurturing environment until they reach the age of 18.

Ongoing Court Oversight

For children and youth in long-term foster care, court hearings are held every six months to:

• Keep the Judge informed on their well-being.
• Monitor their progress in care.
• Evaluate steps taken toward achieving permanency.

Our goal is to ensure that every child and youth in our care has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and supportive environment.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Additional Resources

California State Adoptions

Family Dependency Drug Court

Family Dependency Drug Court (FDDC) is a specialized program designed for parents involved with Family & Children's services and the Juvenile Court due to substance abuse affecting their ability to safely care for their children.

If you are involved in FDDC, you will:

• Participate in substance abuse treatment services with Mendocino County's Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (SUDT)
• Attend frequent court appearances to check in with the Judge regarding your treatment progress.
• Have access to detox and residential substance abuse treatment options.

This program is structured to provide comprehensive support, with Social Workers collaborating closely with:

• SUDT Counselors
• Attorneys
• The Court

Through this coordinated effort, FDDC aims to help parents achieve lasting recovery and improve their ability to provide a safe and stable environment for their children. 

For more information, please visit the Superior Court of California County of Mendocino.

Family First Prevention Services

The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) aims to enhance support services for families, helping children and youth remain safely at home while reducing the reliance on congregate care placements.

Key Objectives to FFPSA:

• Increase Prevention Services: Expanding access to evidence-based programs that support families and prevent the need for foster care placement.
• Reduce Congregate Care Placements: Encouraging family-based placements and limiting the use of institutional settings.
• Enhanced Oversight and Requirements: Strengthening policies and accountability measures for placements to ensure the best outcomes for children and youth.
• Improved Congregate Care Standards: Ensuring that when congregate care is necessary, facilities meet higher standards of care, oversight, and treatment services.

Through these initiatives, FFPSA prioritized family preservation and seeks to provide children with stable, supportive, and family-centered environments. 

Additional Resources

CA Department of Social Services FFPSA

Prevention Services

Young Adult Support (Ages 16-25)

Supporting the success of young adults is an important priority for both the department and board community. This section provides information about programs designed to support young adults build stability and move toward independent adulthood, including Independent Living Skills (ILP), Supportive Transition Services (AB-12), Young Adult Housing Support (THPP), and Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THPP-Plus).

Independent Living Skills (ILP)

The Independent Living Skills Program (ILP) is designed to support current and former foster youth aged 16 to 21, promoting independence through services and education on essential daily living skills.

ILP combines mentoring and classroom experiences to teach a wide variety of life skills, including:

• Money management
• Building self-esteem
• Job readiness
• Grocery shopping

By attending you will be gaining useful skills and receive a stipend for each class attended.

Class Schedule

• When: Thursdays from 4PM-5PM
• Contact: ILSP Supervisor at (707) 463-7990

ILP funds help promote independence by providing assistance with:

• Financial aid for college or vocational school
• Educational resources
• Transportation
• Housing (Transitional Housing)
• Employment support
• Daily living skills
• Money management
• Decision-making skills
• Self-esteem development

You may be eligible for ILP if:

• You were in foster care between your 16th and 19th birthday.
• You were placed in out-of-home care by your tribe between ages 16 and 19.
• You are a former foster youth in kinship guardianship at any age and received Kim-GAP payments between ages 16 and 18.
• You are a former foster youth in non-related guardianship (NRLG) after age 8 and received permanent placement services.

ILP is dedicated to equipping foster youth with the skills and resources needed for a successful transition to independence.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Supportive Transition Services (AB-12)

AB 12 is a California Assembly Bill that extends foster care options for youth until age 21. Known as the Supportive Transition Program, this voluntary program assists youth who turn 18 while in foster care, helping them transition to adulthood while maintaining access to a network of professionals and supportive services in a supervised environment. 

Program Details:

• Begins at age 18 and continues until age 21, depending on youth choice.
• Participants are referred to as Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs).
• NMDs remain under Juvenile Court supervision with review hearings every six months until the age 21, opting out, or dismissal due to non-compliance.

Housing Options:

• Foster Care.
• Transitional Housing Program Plus Foster Care (THP+FC): The most common structured housing option, providing an apartment with stipends for food, electricity, and clothing.
• Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP): Located and identified by the NMD, requiring Social Worker approval and meeting state standards. NMDs in SILPs receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses.
• Group Home Care (limited to age 19).

Support and Supervision:

• THP+FC includes weekly Case Manager supervision and monthly Social Worker visits.
• Emphasis on life skills development, such a money management and independent living.

Eligibility:

To qualify for the Supportive Transition Program, youth must meet at least one of the following:

• Working toward a High School Diploma or GED.
• Enrolled in college (minimum 6 units) or a vocational program.
• Employed, working at least 80 hours per month.
• Participating in a program designed to assist with removing barriers to employment.
• Unable to meet the above criteria due to a documented medical condition.

AB 12 provides an essential bridge for foster youth, offering them structured support and independence as they transition into adulthood.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Young Adult Housing Support (THPP)

The Transitional Housing Placement for Non-Minor Dependents (THPP-NMD), formerly known as THP+FC, was established under Assembly Bill (AB) 12 to provide housing placement options for non-minor dependents in Extended Foster Care. This program offers transitional housing and supportive services guided by a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP). AB 12 aligns with Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.

THPP-NMD aims to assist non-minor dependents in developing essential skills for independent living, including:

• Meeting educational goals
• Obtaining employment
• Financial management
• Relationship building
• Daily living skills

Housing Options for THPP-NMD

• Host Family: The non-minor dependent lives with a caring adult approved by the transitional housing placement provider.
• Staffed Site: The non-minor dependent resides in an apartment, condo, or single-family home leased by the provider, with at least one adult employee on-site.
• Remote Site: The non-minor dependent lives independently in a rented or leased unit, possibly as a co-lessee, while receiving regular supervision.

To become a THPP Provider:

1. Contact our department at (707) 463-7990.
2. We will work with you to obtain a license from the Regional Community Care Licensing Division.

You may contact the Transition Age Youth (TAY) Policy Unit for State level questions at TAYPolicy@dss.ca.gov

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus)

THP-Plus provides transitional housing and supportive services for young adults who exited foster care (including those supervised by Juvenile Probation) on or after their 18th birthday. Services are available for 36 cumulative months or until age of 25, whichever comes first. THP-Plus offers similar housing models and services as THPP-NMD but with age-appropriate rules for young adults.

Program Goals

THP-Plus aims to offer a safe living environment while equipping participants with skills for independent living. Goals are outlines in a Transitional Independent Living Plan (YILP), developed collaboratively with the young adult and supportive persons.

Housing Models under THP-Plus

Acceptable residential units include:

• Apartments
• Single-family dwellings
• Condominiums
• College dorms
• Host family models

Note: Publicly supervised or privately operated shelters and temporary accommodations with friends or family do not qualify.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.

Child Welfare Interventions

Whether you or a loved one is involved in child welfare interventions, the system can be complex and sometimes difficult to navigate. This section provides information to help you better understand the interventions used, including Emergency Response, Court Ordered Cases, and Voluntary/Formal Supervision Cases.

Emergency Response

Family & Children's Services operates a 24-hour Emergency Response Hotline, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to receive reports of suspected child abuse and neglect involving children ages 0-17. 

When a report is received, trained professionals review the information and determine what response is needed to protect the child. If the report meets California's criteria for an investigation, a Social Worker will respond immediately or within 10 calendar days. Some investigations are conducted jointly with law enforcement.

The Social Worker works with the child and family to understand what happened, assess safety, and determine what support is needed. The goal is to protect children while working with families in the least disruptive way possible.

When a family is in crisis, the Social Worker develops a safety plan. Depending on the situation, a child may be able to remain safely at home with additional support. If a child cannot safely remain at home, they may be placed temporarily with a relative, Resource Family, or other safe caregiver.

Family Team Meetings may bring together the family, relatives, friends, and other supportive people to identify concerns, strengths, and steps needed to keep the child safe.

Investigations are generally completed within 30 days. If ongoing support is needed, the family may receive additional services through Family Maintenance or Family Reunification.

Court Ordered Cases

Family & Children's Services may determine that intervention with the Juvenile Dependency Court is necessary if a child is at risk of harm in their home. If the situation is deemed too dangerous, the child may be removed from their home to ensure their safety.

Since parental rights are affected, the Juvenile Court is responsible for making official decisions to ensure all actions taken are lawful. Both parents and children are appointed attorneys who guide them through the court process, working toward a resolution that allows the child to safely return home. If reunification is not possible, efforts will be made to ensure the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

Purpose of Juvenile Court:

• Protect the Child: Court intervention ensures the child's safety and well-being.
• Legal Oversight: The court ensures that all decisions comply with the law.
• Family Support: Attorneys assist families in addressing concerns and work toward reunification when possible.
• Permanency Planning: If returning home is not an option, the court facilitates permanent placement solutions.

Voluntary/Formal Supervision Cases

The mission of Mendocino County Family & Children's Services is to ensure the safety and well-being of children. We recognize that maintaining the family unit is the best option for children, provided their safety and well-being can be assured.

Voluntary/Formal Supervision Services is a program offered to families where Social Workers have assessed a high risk of Juvenile Court involvement due to child abuse or neglect. This program is available when parents are willing to work with the department to make immediate changes to ensure their children's safety.

Program Requirements:

• Parents agree to participate in the development and implementation of a safety plan.
• Families engage in services identified by the Social Worker that will help address child abuse or neglect concerns.
• The family is formally supervised by the Social Worker until child safety is stabilized and maintained.

Duration and Next Steps:

• Voluntary/Formal Supervision cases typically last six months.
• If the family is unable to establish and maintain child safety within this timeframe, the Social Worker will initiate a court case with the Mendocino County Juvenile Court.

This program provides families with an opportunity to work collaboratively with social services, avoiding court intervention when possible while prioritizing child safety.

For more information, please call (707) 463-7990.