Transforming the lives of California’s youth and families
The Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support assists county child welfare agency efforts to keep youth who must be removed from a parent connected with their own family members. We provide statewide, culturally appropriate training and technical assistance to county child welfare and probation departments, behavioral health, and other child-serving stakeholders, including tribal partners and service providers, to enhance their practices, policies, and efforts for family finding, support, and engagement.
The Center is powered by the California Department of Social Services and the Human Services team at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your questions on the Family Finding, Engagement and Support FAQs page.
The Impact of Kin-First Placements
Webinars and Events
Join us to hear experts in the field share the best practices that promote the best outcomes involving kin-first models, approaches and service delivery for providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement and support for families.
Scheduled Classes Open for Enrollment
Consultation and Technical Assistance
The Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support offers coaching and consultation services to county agencies and service providers who are part of the California Children and Youth System of Care.
Learn more about coaching and consultation services.
TA Hours
Family Finding, Engagement and Support TA Hour
Join us to discuss your questions and interests in opting into the Center for Excellence Family Finding, Engagement and Support program and learn about how the Center for Excellence can assist your counties with specialized training and support to enhance practices, policies, and efforts for family finding, support, and engagement.
2024
Tribal Funding Program Office Hours
In partnership with the Office of Tribal Affairs, CDSS is offering technical assistance hours to provide Tribes with assistance in developing and implementing the funding programs. We will be available for questions, idea sharing, and support around the following programs:
- Tribally Approved Homes Compensation Program (TAH) – [email protected]
- Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support Program (EFFES) – [email protected]
- Flexible Family Supports and Home-Based Foster Care Program (FFS) – [email protected]
To request a date and time for office hours, please contact the program you'd like to reach at their respective addresses above.
Resources and Information
Microlearning: Storytelling Through Data
Participants will deepen their awareness and understanding of Kin-First Culture through engaging scenario videos and data narrative illustrations. The goal is for you to understand the importance of the Kin-First Culture and how to apply it effectively in your work environment.
Model Programs
The Center for Excellence recognizes that many efforts of programs to keep children, families, and communities together. As part of the Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support funding program, counties are encouraged to implement model programs. Or programs that have been vetted by the Center for Excellence.
The following programs have expertise in family finding, engagement and support.
- Alia
- Catholic Community Services of Western Washington-Family Behavioral Health (CCSWW): Family Search and Engagement
- Cultural Brokers Inc.
- Family Finding™
- Kinnect to Family
- Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Learn more about each program in our Model Programs Information sheet.
Watch these Webinars to Learn More
- Watch the Center's Stakeholder Engagement Webinar
- Watch the Fiscal Essentials of Family Finding and Engagement Webinar recording and Presentation slides
- ACL Overview Webinar
ACL and CFL for Family Finding and Engagement
Test 2
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