Foster Care

San Diego Youth Services was the first foster care provider in San Diego County in 1976 serving minority youth. In 1981, the program expanded to serve children and youth seven to 17 years old. In 1985, the State of California licensed San Diego Youth Services as a Foster Family Agency. In 1993, the FFA was licensed to care for up to 30 youth zero to 18. SDYS has California’s first certified Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care program for children and San Diego County’s largest Intensive Treatment Foster Care program in addition to Foster Family Agency homes.

Children are referred for residential care and treatment through San Diego County Child Welfare Services and the Probation Department after being declared dependents or wards of the Juvenile Court. They have experienced a history of abuse, neglect, or delinquency requiring a higher level of care than parents, relatives, or county foster homes can provide. SDYS Foster Care recruits, certifies, trains, and supports foster parents to provide therapeutic care for traumatized children with the goals of reunification with biological family, adoption by an identified family, or preparation for adult living.

Become a Foster Parent

7 signs you’re ready to be a Foster Parent
 

 1.     You wonder what color to paint that extra bedroom

 You are single or coupled and have some space in that empty nest

2.      You know your credit score and are not living paycheck to paycheck

 You are not necessarily rich but rich in commitment to share with a youth

3.      You have reached that level of Zen that you “don’t sweat the small stuff”

 A broken door knob does not cause panic. Besides you enjoy home improvement

4.      You can finish a 5k but you know you really have the energy to complete a marathon

 You have stamina to keep up with a kid and the determination to go the distance

5.      You have already been to Jamaica and now Mars is looking tempting

 A foster youth will take you to places you have never been and the Zoo and Sea World, too

6.      You like your neighborhood vibe and believe, “it takes a village”

 A child down the street needs you to join his blended family. Raise a citizen

7.      You might have superpowers and would like to use them for good

 You want to look back at your life and know that you have made a difference in the life of a child

If you answered YES to five of the seven questions join us at our next Foster Parent Orientation!

Call 619-221-8610 or e-mail lgurule@sdyouthservices.org to schedule an orientation

For a FREE downloadable brochure, click here

Full Program Statement, click here