Get resource family support
The County is in urgent need of compassionate and dedicated families willing to care for children with special needs, teens, and sibling groups. At the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS), we are actively seeking resource foster families who can offer a nurturing and stable home for children of all ages.
When families are willing and motivated to care for care for children with special needs, teens and sibling groups by becoming Resource (foster) families, we are committed to working side by side with you in caring for children and youths in foster care. Our goal is to ensure the success of resource foster families and the children and youth in their care.
DFCS support and services
Our department provides a wide range of supportive services that include:
| Monthly financial reimbursement for each child and youth. |
| Medi-Cal insurance coverage for each child and youth. |
| Special Care Increment for children and youth with special needs. |
| Childcare assistance for working resource families. |
| Respite Care Program. This service is for resource foster parents who need short-term care in the event of family emergencies, work related issues, problems within the home and other unforeseen circumstances. The care allowance each time is up to 72 hours, with each RFA family allowed 300 hours annually. |
| Resource And Advocacy Support Services (RASS). Each RFA home will be assigned a Resource Family Home advocate when a child or youth is placed in a resource foster home. The advocate will provide support, access to resources, and address issues that may arise. |
| Kinship Support Services. Each relative or non-relative extended family member caring for a related child or youth living in Santa Clara County will be assigned a resource specialist. The specialist will provide support and access to resources while addressing any issues that arise. |
| Reimbursement for transportation to school of origin. |
| Multilingual support and services. |
Ongoing training
Prior to approval, resource foster parents will participate in 27 hours of training, not including the required CPR and first aid training. Once you've been approved, we offer in-service trainings to help you meet both the needs of the foster children and youths and California's mandated eight hours of annual continuing education.
Trainings are provided by West Valley Community Colleges and include crisis intervention, substance abuse issues, stages of development, behavior, and positive discipline.
Additional resources
Intensive treatment foster care programs
These programs can help meet the higher needs and challenges of some foster care children and youths.
Kinship, Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (KAFPA)
Santa Clara County's KAFPA offers multi-lingual support and services including: trainings and events that support children, youths, and resource foster parents; mentoring program; holiday events.
Caregiver supports and community information
We have compiled a list of support sources to help you succeed as a resource foster parent.