Marlene Velazquez. Courtesy photo.
‘Family & Friends Together’ offers support to grandparents and other relatives providing kinship care
SANTA BARBARA — Angels Foster Care on July 13 announced the launch of ‘Family & Friends Together’ (FFT), a new kinship care program that provides intensive, trauma-informed multigenerational support to kinship families caring for foster children from birth to age five in Santa Barbara County.
The local nonprofit – which provides safe, stable, loving homes for infants and toddlers in foster care throughout Santa Barbara County and Southern San Luis Obispo County – partnered with Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services, the Towbes Foundation, the Bower Foundation, the Hazen Foundation and other private donors to launch and fund the new program.
FFT provides case management, referrals, individualized education, and brief therapeutic intervention to kinship caregivers and the children they are fostering.
“Family & Friends Together is especially important because family members caring for children in foster care face unique challenges,” said Holly Carmody, Executive Director of Angels Foster Care. “They typically do not have much time to prepare for fostering; they often deal with fear, guilt and anger; and they may have challenges navigating complex family relationships. It is vital that kinship caregivers receive the extra support they need during this time, and we are grateful to partner with SB County Child Welfare Services, private local foundations and our donors to offer this important program.”
As part of FFT, a highly trained Angels Foster Care social worker meets with each kinship family shortly after placement to conduct an assessment, craft a personalized family plan, and work closely with the family and SB County Child Welfare Services to ensure that each child thrives in his or her kinship care home. According to Carmody, foster children from birth to age five are particularly vulnerable because of the rapid brain development that occurs during these transformative years.
Marlene Velazquez, who has been with Angels for over a year providing support to its foster care families, has taken on the new role as the social worker for FFT families. Velazquez brings nearly two decades of experience in the social services field and previously served as a social worker at the Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology and bible studies from Biola University.
“We’re pleased to partner with Angels Foster Care to offer the Family & Friends Together program to kinship caregivers,” said Amy Krueger, Deputy Director of Adult and Children’s Services at the Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services. “We have already begun to see the positive impact on families going through the program and we look forward to our continued work together to offer caregivers the comprehensive support they need.”
The program, which launched in March, has supported seven families thus far who were referred by Child Welfare Services.
Beyond the FFT program, Angels Foster Care provides guidance and support to families, helping them navigate the fostering process and ensuring a stable and caring environment for infants and toddlers. The majority of Angels babies have been placed in the foster care system due to neglect, abandonment or abuse. Angels’ social workers are experts in the needs of young children who have experienced trauma, and provide comprehensive training and intensive assistance to Angels Foster Care parents so they can confidently care for their foster children and provide a nurturing environment.
To learn more about Angels Foster Care or the FFT program, contact (805) 884-0012 or visit www.angelsfostercare.org.
Angels Foster Care is a nonprofit foster family agency founded in 2006. We provide safe, stable, loving homes for infants and toddlers in foster care throughout Santa Barbara County and Southern San Luis Obispo County. Angels Foster Care serves children from birth to age three and sibling sets to age five. Our social workers provide comprehensive training and intensive assistance to Angels Foster Care parents. Angels Foster Care families confidently care for their foster children knowing that they have the tools and support they need to provide the very best possible environment for a baby, toddler or sibling set. For more information, visit www.angelsfostercare.org.