Community-based prevention services
The Prevention Bureau operates within the Department of Family and Children's Services to support strong and healthy communities and to avoid, when possible, entry into the child welfare and foster care systems. We work with community partners provide focused programs and services to educate and coach parents or caregivers and support to children, youths, and their families. Some of the available programs include parenting classes, services targeting at-risk, gang impacted, gang intentional youth, their families and communities, and case management services for families experiencing crisis.
We focus on six zip codes with high rates of referrals for general neglect within the County of Santa Clara. We aim to create safe, caring and self-supported communities where families' and their children's basic needs are met, reducing the need for child welfare action.
Community programs and services
We partner with community organizations to deliver a variety of programs and services designed to foster strong and healthy communities.
| PROGRAM | SERVICES |
Be Strong Families, Parent Cafés This is a partnership with: Rebekah Children’s Services, SOMOS Mayfair, ICAN and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara Valley.
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Through individual deep self-reflection and peer-to-peer learning, participants explore their strengths, learn about the Protective Factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experiences to help strengthen their families. |
Safe, Secure and Loved-Resilient Families Program This program is a partnership with Santa Clara University and Sacred Heart Community Services.
| A six-week, community-led parent education class designed to promote the 5 Protective Factors. Classes are 90 minutes each, using group discussions, games, crafts, mindfulness and self-compassion practices. The focus is on strengthening parental sensitivity and empathy and gaining a better understanding of what babies and toddlers need for healthy social-emotional and cognitive development. |
New Hope for Youth (NHFY)
| Prevention and early intervention services including: case management, individualized coaching, pro-social activities, conflict mediation, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, mentoring, parent education and support services. |
Differential Response
| Our sources work out the safest, least restrictive and least intrusive service for each family. The program aims to preempt abuse and neglect by seeing to their needs before court action. Services include case management, links to resources, including parent education classes and supports, one-on-one parent coaching, advocacy, counseling and help to coordinate care. |
Free training for County of Santa Clara Mandated Reporters This program is a partnership with the Seneca Family of Agencies.
| Trainings are delivered in English and Spanish, and you can join online or in-person. The Mandated Reporter Training lasts three hours and continuing education units (CEUs) are provided. Agencies may also request to host separately. |
Virtual resource fair
| We partnered with the County's Behavioral Health Department's Katie A. Program to host a virtual resource fair highlighting the services of more than 50 agencies and community resources that support families and youth. The resource fair was held over four Zoom sessions. |
Additional County resources
Community forums
Since 2020, we have hosted several forums to engage community voice and inspire change.
Report child abuse and neglect
Call our 24/7 hotline if you believe child or youth abuse is happening.
Child Abuse Prevention Council
The council coordinates the County's response to child abuse and neglect.
Additional resources
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