Resource Links

  • WIC: Voucher program offering health food for children ages 0-5. Foster children automatically qualify. Community Bridges WIC Program at http://communitybridges.org/wic/.
  • Early Head Start: Weekly home visiting program to support developmental growth of children age 0-3.  Foster children automatically qualify.
  • Head Start: Preschool for children ages 3-5. Foster children automatically qualify.
  • CASA: Adult volunteers serve as mentors and advocates for children in foster care. http://www.casaofsantacruz.org/.
  • First Five: Program offering support in enhancing education, health and well-being for families of children 0-5. http://www.first5scc.org/.
  • Covered California: Providing low-income Californians with access to affordable, high-quality health care, including medical, mental health, substance abuse treatment services and long-term care.  http://www.coveredca.com/.
  • San Andreas Regional Center: Serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. https://www.sanandreasregional.org/

Training and Support

Fun Activities for Kids

Other Useful Links

  • Kids Data: Find data about the health and well-being of children in communities across California. http://www.kidsdata.org/
  • Child and Family Web Guide - Tufts University: A directory that evaluates, describes, and provides links to hundreds of sites containing child developmental research and practical advice. http://ase.tufts.edu/cfw/
  • Foster Parent Considering Adoption: A government publication covering issues useful for foster parents to consider when thinking about permanency. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_fospar.pdf (PDF, 512 KB)
  • Foster Youth Help: The website designed specifically for foster youth, provides an overview of relevant laws, rights and resources. http://www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov