How You Can Help
At Sierra Forever Families, we believe that EVERY CHILD NEEDS AND DESERVES A LOVING FAMILY. Right now, families are needed to provide loving homes for a growing number of children.
Several roles are especially in demand.
Adoptive Family
In our community, there are thousands of children and youth currently available for
adoption who have not been able to reunify with their birth families. These children are often living in foster care with families
that are not able to make a commitment to provide permanency. These
children are school age and older youth who may have experienced more
serious physical or emotional trauma in their lives. These children need
the long-term stability of living with a permanent loving family that
has made a forever commitment to them.
Resource Families (Concurrent Planning)
Concurrent planning families provide care for children who have
active reunification plans with their birth families. The majority of
these children are six years old or younger and have a reunification plan in process. Recourse Families support reunification efforts, yet can be available to
adopt the child or children if reunification is not possible.
Shelter Families
Care for children on an emergency basis, typically for less than 30
days, as plans are made for the long-term well-being of the child(ren).
The Process
1. Exploring Permanency 1
Exploring Permanency 1 gives a broad overview of how this integrated program works. This orientation is a chance to consider basic issues and get general questions answered. It is offered once a month in a group setting, the second Monday of the month in our Sacramento office. Additional orientations can be arranged for your church, community group or workplace.
2. The Initial Interview
The initial interview is scheduled after the orientation, and allows for further discussion about your family’s motives, strengths and interests in helping.
3. The Application
The application consists of two packets. The first contains the foster/adoption application, fingerprint, and other forms necessary to begin the process. The second packet is focused on you as a family, your experience with children, your relationships, and a format to write an autobiography about your life experiences.
4. Exploring Permanency 2
Exploring Permanency 2 provides in-depth exploration of issues in caring for children not born to you and how to successfully parent a child with a history of traumatic losses. Once you have completed the basic training, additional classes prepare you for the special roles you will take on, such as concurrent family planning, adjustment to adoption and/or trans-racial parenting.
5. Home Study Process
Home study process begins when the application paperwork has been completed. An experienced Master’s level social worker or equivalent will be assigned to work with your family throughout the process. We offer personal interviews to your family at your convenience. Once a child is placed in your home, your home study worker will provide on-going placement support.
6. The Certification
The certification of your home is the last step before placement. All foster/adoptive homes must meet Title XXII regulations, which means there are smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, a place to lock up medications and cleaning products, along with current driver’s license and insurance, as well as other requirements. Contact our Certification Specialist if you have specific questions or attend an orientation.