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Support & Assistance to DFCS Resource Families

Child Abuse Reporting during the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the immense pressure this current pandemic places on some of our most vulnerable communities, the Department of Family and Children's Services is encouraging Santa Clara County Residents to be the advocates for youth who may be experiencing trauma, in the forms of abuse and/or neglect. Please watch and share the videos linked below and help support the most vulnerable individuals in our communities.


Child Abuse Awareness Videos – COVID-19 Series


Child Abuse Awareness during the Shelter in Place - Public Service Announcements (PSA)


Child Abuse Reporting Tip Sheets


Mandated Reporter Training

The Santa Clara County Department of Family Children’s Services in partnership with Seneca Family of Agencies provides FREE on demand and monthly Mandated Reporter trainings (virtual/in-person) in English or Spanish. Agencies may also request to host separately, please contact SantaClaraMRT@senecacenter.org or call (510) 654-4004 for further information. The Mandated Reporter Training is 3 hours, available for Santa Clara County Mandated Reporters only and CEU’s are provided. Check out the Mandated Reporting Training Information Flyer concerning the classes or register here and choose "Eligible Participant" to scroll for class times/dates.

Child Mandated Reporter 3- CEs-General Info Flyer
General Flyer for MRT Seneca 2019


The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) also provides free 24/7 self-paced Mandated Reporter training online in English and Spanish.

Mandated Reporters should check with their employment agency before registering to ensure trainings satisfy employment requirements.

The Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) is actively recruiting Resource (foster) families who can provide a stable and loving home for children of all ages. There is an urgent need for families who are willing and motivated to care for children with special needs, teens and sibling groups. DFCS believes in working side by side with resource (foster) families in caring for children/youth in foster care. We do this so that resource (foster) families and the children/youth in their care will be successful. We offer and provide a wide range of supportive services that include:

  • Monthly financial reimbursement for each child/youth.
  • Medi-Cal insurance coverage for each child/youth.
  • Special Care Increment for children/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 for up to 72 hours. Examples: family emergencies, work related issues or problems within the home. Each RFA family is allowed 200 hours annually.

Resource and Advocacy Support Services: Each RFA home will be assigned a Resource Family Home advocate when a child/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 who is caring for a related child/youth living in Santa Clara County will be assigned a resource specialist. The specialist will provide support, assist them in accessing resources, and address issues that may arise.
  • Reimbursement for transportation to school of origin.
  • Multilingual support and services.

Training – Prior to approval, Resource (foster) Parents will participate in 27 hours of training not including the required CPR, First Aid. After approval, In-service trainings are offered to help the resource (foster) families meet the needs of the children/youth placed in the home and meet the State mandate of 8 hours of annual continuing education. A few examples of training are crisis intervention, substance abuse issues, stages of development, behavior and positive discipline. Training is provided by West Valley Community Colleges.

Santa Clara County Kinship, Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (KAFPA) has an array of supportive services including:

  • On-going trainings/workshops.
  • Events that support children/youth and resource (foster) parents throughout the year.
  • A mentoring program.
  • Holiday gifts and events.
  • Multi-lingual support and services.

Please visit the Caregiver Supports and Community Information webpage for Information and Resource Family/Caregiver Supports.

KinshipCareCA.org
Choose to be a Resource Family - Social Services Agency - County of Santa Clara
Last updated: 7/2/2020 1:49 PM
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