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SDYS
3255 Wing Street
San Diego CA  92110
(619) 221-8600

Adoption Support Services

   Since 1998, the SDYS Adoption Support Services Program has been providing an array of services to families who have or are in the process of adopting foster youth in San Diego County.  The program’s emphasis is on attachment -- building the bonds between parents and children that enhance and ensure healthy family ties.

It is our goal to help every one of our adoptive families to be successful in creating a healthy family environment.

Program and Service Details

The SDYS Adoption Support Services Program provides an array of services for parents and their children held at locations throughout the County.

• Monthly Support Groups meet the needs of all age groups and family members.
• Friday Night Movie Night welcomes children from 2 years old to teens for fun while their parents enjoy three hours of respite. Social skills are bi-products of these activities.
• Therapeutic Services are available in the mental health clinic which focuses on attachment and the specific issues faced by adoptive families. Limited in-home therapy is also possible.
• Monthly Saturday Enrichment Outings are designed to give parents some respite time while children are developing social skills.  Small groups of children aged 5 to 17 enjoy supervised activities throughout the county.
• Family Advocate Coordinators provide parent coaching while partnering with families to find resources and referrals within the community.
• The Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) helps parents through the IEP process and to navigate the special arena of school performance.  The FRC matches families with mentors and tutors whenever possible. 
• Family Special Events include fabulous semi-annual get-togethers that give families a chance to meet and connect with one another.
• Specialized Workshops target the special needs of adoptive families and their care providers.  Workshops are held twice each year and focus on a variety of topics.
• A Monthly Newsletter is another way of keeping families informed and in touch with the program, each other and activities of interest in the community.

Respite Funds are made available to adoptive parents on a limited basis.

 
Sometimes it takes extra effort to gain trust in a new adoptive
relationship, but the rewards are invaluable!  

Contact Information
Adoption Support Services
Phone: 619-221-8600 x 240
Fax:  619-325-8611

A special thank you to the following supporter of Adoption Support Services:
The County of San Diego

A Positive Adjustment for One Adoptive Family
In the words of Keri and Paul, SDYS Adoptive Parents

   In the beginning of our relationship, Ashley was easily angered and frustrated. Her confidence at school was low and she was consistently negative. To help cope with these issues, our SDYS Adoptive Support Therapist, Donna, suggested we try Narrative Therapy. Narrative therapy is not easy, especially for the parents and we felt strange thinking about and telling our stories. We admit to going home and saying “Donna must be kidding!” In the end, the transformation has been nothing less than stunning. Ashley is much more confident, friendly and enjoyable. Her schoolwork, initiative, and behavior have all improved. She has even begun to receive compliments from her teachers. She often shares them with us and says they make her feel good. That simply would not have happened before. Her frustration levels are much lower and she is able to work on calming her before a total meltdown. Now, we enjoy our time together more than we would have dreamed possible six months ago.