Family and Children's Services provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, or who are at risk of abuse or neglect.  Child welfare services focus on child safety, child and family well-being, and permanent homes for children. 

The first priority of Family and Children's Services is always to keep children safely in their own homes with their parents.  If that is not possible, children are placed in foster or relative caregiver homes until their own families can care for them again or they are placed for adoption. 

Family and Children's Services works collaboratively with many local agencies and community partners to support and strengthen families and keep children safe in Santa Cruz County. 

Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services provides safety and protection for childen who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, neglected or exploited, or are at risk of abuse or neglect.

Foster Care

Foster and Kinship Care includes recruitment, training, licensing and support services for foster families and relative caregivers who are matched with children in need of nurturing, stable homes.

Independent Living

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides educational and vocational opportunities, life-skills training, and support for teens in foster care and former foster youth ages 15-21.  

Transitional Housing 

The Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP Plus) is a supportive housing program serving youth between the ages of 18-24 who have emancipated from foster care or an out-of-home probation placement.

Adoptions 

Adoptions services are provided to birth parents who are considering placing a child for adoption, and to individuals and couples who seek to become parents or add to their family and provide a stable loving home to a child in need. In most cases, potential adoptive parents provide foster care for a child until it is determined whether the child will be able to return home, orr will be freed for adoption.