Note: This list was compiled by the ACFPA as a resource for Resource Families and should not be considered an endorsement of these organizations.
COUNTY AND STATE RESOURCES
California Department of Social Services
Alameda County Social Services – My Resource Family
myresourcefamily.org
Felicia Brown, Alameda County Social Services, Resource Family Recruiter
Browngoins@acgov.org
Demitrous Sims, Alameda County Social Services, Client Advocate
DSims@acgov.org
(510) 780- 8946
Pre-Placement Questions
Pre-placement questions [PDF]
Questions to consider asking prior to accepting a new placement
HOTLINES
Child Abuse Hotline
510-259-1800
Children and Family Services Child abuse hotline for reporting suspected abuse or neglect. Monitored 24/7.
Foster Care Help Line for Foster Kids
http://ww.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov
1-877-846-1602
Foster kids have rights too. California State Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman offers a Help Line for foster kids where they can voice their concerns about their care, treatment or services.
Parent Support Hotline
https://familypaths.org/
800-829-3777
This is a 24 hour parent support hotline providing free and confidential counseling, information and referrals to anyone in need of parenting support.
ILP Hotline
Independent Living Program Hotline: (510) 259-1800
This line can be used to report child abuse. It can also be used by youth to get back into care.
RESPITE and CHILDCARE
Banana’s
BANANAS has been supporting families in their parenting journey since 1974 working in partnership with early education providers. Our programs and services include assisting families find and pay for quality child care, parenting workshops, playgroups and professional development for all types of early care and education providers.
510-658-7353 Main
510-658-0381 Childcare referrals
Family Support Service
Family Support Services assists families who face serious challenges in successfully caring for their children. These include families with children who have mental or physical disabilities; families taking care of children who are substance exposed, medically fragile, or are HIV+; and families in which grandparents or other relatives have had to step in to care for children. Family Support Services also works with families in which children are at risk of abuse or neglect to help parents improve their parenting skills and ensure that these children are raised in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments.
510-834-2443 Main Phone
510-834-4766 East Bay Respite Program Direct Line
TrustLine
California registry of in-home providers who have passed a background screening. Check to see if your childcare provider is registered.
800-822-8490
SPECIAL NEEDS
Family Resource Navigators
Family Resource Navigators (“FRN”) provides free education, support and advocacy to over 2000 families each year with children or youth with disabilities or special health care needs in Alameda County. Helpful resource list for special needs children and youth: FRN Fun List 2025
KINSHIP SUPPORT
Kinship programs provide supportive services to Relative Caregivers with the goal of preventing the child from entering the foster care system. Supports include educational advocacy, support groups, case management, educational workshops, family advocacy and limited respite.
Family support services
Northern Alameda County
510-834-2443
Lincoln Child Center
510-273-4700
Pleasanton Unified School District-Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP)
925-519-3864
HEALTHCARE
Children’s Hospital – Center for the Vulnerable Child
The center provides individual and family therapy, clinical and medical case management, developmental screening, and parental education services.
5220 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Dental Services– Affordable Care Act
As of January 1, 2018, the Department of Health Care Services restored adult dental benefits for members ages 21 and older with full-scope dental coverage.
La Clinica- Youth Heart Health Center
No Cost Vision Services for Youth Ages 3-21
LEGAL
Advokids
Offers a variety of programs including a Child Welfare Attorney Consultation Line, online Child Welfare Legal Tools, Resources and free telephone hotline.
Attorney Consultation Line: Attorney Consultation Line: 877.238.4543
The California Ombudsperson for Foster Care is the state agency mandated to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints, on behalf of foster children, related to their care, placement or services. The office is empowered to investigate complaints about state and local agencies regarding foster care.
LGBTQ
Advocates for Youth
Champions efforts that help youth (14-25 yo) make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
Side by Side
Side by Side operates across the Bay Area, providing young people ages 5-26 and family members with critical services that span behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA+ support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education. Programs are free of cost.
Family Acceptance Project
A research based, culturally grounded approach to help families increase support for their LGBTQ children.
Ultimate Guide to Resources
This guide provides a multitude of resources including support groups, scholarships, hotlines and much more.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Their mission is to provide eligible youth in care with independent living skills training. ILP services are currently delivered to youth ages 14-21 by Beyond Emancipation and partnered with Alameda County Social Services. Some of their offerings include financial assistance with college or vocational schools, transitional housing, education and employment support.
Soulciety
Empowering youth through creativity, leadership and community
Be a Mentor
Be a Mentor, Inc. seeks to help children and youth from challenging and vulnerable circumstances develop the assets necessary to make healthy life choices, set realistic goals, act with determination and ultimately build vibrant successful lives for themselves through direct contact and relationships with caring and positive adult role models.
College Resources
College Educated
College Educated was founded on the principles that everyone deserves a college education, and that college should be accessible and in reach for anyone who wants to attend. On College Educated, you’ll find scholarship information, career resources, school and program rankings and advice on what it takes to enroll and succeed in the college of your choice.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Below is a list of organizations that provide scholarships for youth:
Independent Living Program
California State Foster Parent Association
Chabot College Scholarships
Dream33
Scholarships.com
Students Rising Above
Financial Aid Resources:
John Burton Advocates for Youth Financial Aid Completion Guide
Financial Aid Guide for Foster Youth
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Alameda Unified School District
(510) 337-7060
Castro Valley Unified School District
(510) 537-3000
Dublin Unified School District
(925) 828-2551
Fremont Unified School District
(510) 657-2350
Hayward Unified School District
(510) 784-2600
Oakland Unified School District
(510) 879-8200 or (510) 879-8800
San Leandro Unified School District
(510) 667-3522
TRAINING
California Alliance of Caregivers Training Events
https://cacaregivers.org/events/
National Foster Parent Association Training Institute
https://nfpati.org/
Foster Parent College
https://www.fosterparentcollege.com/info/contact.jsp
Chabot College
https://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/social-sciences/fkce/index.php
TRAUMA INFORMED RESOURCES
Child Trauma Academy, Dr. Bruce D. Perry
Homecoming, Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child, PBS Special by John Bradshaw, 10 Part series on YouTube; also available as a book.
The 7 Impacts of Trauma and other videos by Dr. Gabor Maté on YouTube
Three Core Concepts in Early Development, Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
Healing from Trauma, Dr. Aimie Apigian on YouTube
ACTIVITIES
Links to local events and activities:
510 Families
First 5 Alameda County
Habitot.org
SUPPLIES
Birthright Pregnancy Support center
1010 Murrietta Blvd, Ste B, Livermore, CA 94550, Executive Director: Mair Moran
(925) 449-5887
Email: mmoran@birthrightlvr.org
Offers baby/maternity clothes, diapers newborn to 2 years, layettes, parenting classes with baby
Hively Diaper Pantry
6601 Owens Drive, Ste 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Offers Diaper Pantry to families in the Tri-Valley cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and Sunol.
ASSOCIATIONS
National Foster Parent Association
California Foster Parent Association
California Alliance of Caregivers
PERMANENCY GUIDES
Documents:
Guide To Permanency Options
Post Permanency Services
Legal Guardianship and Adoption
alamedacountyfosterparentassociation.org 