Supportive Services
The County of Santa Cruz values our foster and adoptive parents and relative caregivers. Our goal is to offer you the supportive services that you need to continue providing wonderful care to children in our community.
Appreciation Events
We appreciate our foster families and relative caregivers. Each spring, we hold an appreciation luncheon with guest speakers for our resource families. Every summer, we have a fun picnic for our foster families and an annual Family Fun Day in North and South County.
Cabrillo College Mentor Program
The mentor program offers one-on-one support for resource families. Resource family mentors are experienced foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers who have been trained to work with resource families to share their experience and knowledge. Contact Susan Huffman, Coordinator Specialized Training for Adoptive Parents & Resource Family Mentor Programs by calling (831) 722-8681 or e-mail susan@yahoo.com
Counseling
Adoptive families can be referred for counseling with a therapist who has been trained in adoption issues through the Cabrillo College Adoption Promotion and Support program. Sessions are confidential and free of charge to the adoptive family.
Coffee Connections
Join other resource parents and social workers on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Live Oak Family Resource Center, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and exchange information and ideas and get your questions answered.
Monthly Support Groups
Monthly Support Groups are also available for foster, adoptive, and kinship families through Cabrillo College. Contact Deborah Helms, Director, Cabrillo College Foster & Kinship Care Education Program by calling (831) 479-6114 or e-mail dehelms@cabrillo.edu.