Refugee Foster Care Services for Unaccompanied Refugee and Immigrant Youth

Refugee Foster Care (RFC)

The Refugee Foster Care program resettles Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs) into Resource Homes across eight counties throughout the Bay Area. Operating as both a California Foster Family Agency, and a Refugee Resettlement program, the Refugee Foster Care program is unlike any other program in the Bay Area, and the only agency in the area serving this unique, international population. The Refugee Foster Care program offers long-term, tailored, wrap-around services, with continued support to both the youth and the Resource Family. Youth flee their homelands due to persecution, war and/or violence, and with the support of Resource Parents and families, the Refugee Foster Care staff, and other community partners, they are able to build bright futures here in California as they adjust to American life and ultimately transition into young adulthood and self-sufficiency. If you have space in your home and heart, you can be a part of an international effort to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable youth, and we will be with you every step of the way.

Foster parents with their 3 refugee children.

Fostering for a Better World

“My Husband Paul and I decided to become refugee foster parents. We's met teenagers from Honduras, Liberia, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Somalia. These kids have helped e understand that even though there is so much suffering, there is so much love. It has been a gift to be with them.” - Denise

Resource Parent Eligibility:

Our Resource Families come in all shapes and sizes, from single first-time parents to empty nesters! We accept parents from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, gender, marital status, religion, or sexual orientation. The youth we serve come from diverse backgrounds, and we strive to reflect that diversity in our families. Our program is unique because we are looking for long-term placements and parents willing to commit to a longer-term or permanent relationship with youth.

Parents must complete 30+ hours of pre-approval training, successfully pass a background check, demonstrate financial solubility, and have space in their home for youth. Along with training and documentation, prospective parents should expect to complete a panel interview with staff, a home inspection, and multiple in-person interviews with a social worker through a comprehensive Home Study process. Parents must reside in Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, or San Francisco counties.

Services for Resource Parents

Ongoing training & group coaching
Family bonding support
One-on-one coaching
Peer to peer & Community support

Locations

Santa Clara County, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito.

Youth Eligibility: Who are Unaccompanied Refugee Minors?

Youth are referred into the program through the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Youth come from all over the world, from countries such as Afghanistan, El Salvador, Eritrea, Guatemala, Myanmar, and Sudan. Youth have all fled their homes due to reasons such a as war, gang violence, and/or persecution. They are refugees, victims of human trafficking, and asylees, under the age of 18, and granted a "URM" status. Youth are living outside their home country, and come to our program directly from refugee camps overseas, or US federally run shelters around the United States.

Services for Youth

Nurturing, trauma-informed family environment for youth
Tailored, intensive case management services for youth
Support accessing medical & mental health services
Secondary and post-secondary education support

Contact us

(408) 325-5107

For inquiries about becoming a Resource Parent or Host Home:

klozano@ccscc.org

For inquiries about volunteer, internship, or community partnerships: