ABOUT THIS HUB
ANBFFA's Commitment to Connected Care
A New Beginning Foster Family Agency (ANBFFA) serves as a bridge between foster families, youth, and the extensive network of California state resources. This hub compiles the most critical, actionable information for everyone navigating the foster care system in Southern California — with a special focus on San Bernardino County.
Our resource partners include the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (SBC CFS), and community organizations committed to supporting youth and families through every stage of their journey.
Whether you're a youth in care, a prospective resource parent, or a kinship caregiver — we've organized everything below by who it's for, so you can find what you need quickly.
California Dept. of Social Services
The primary state resource for foster care, adoption, and resource family support. CDSS manages licensing, training, and program oversight for all foster care placements in California.
cdss.ca.gov → Foster Care & Adoption Resources
FOR YOUTH IN CARE
Resources Made for You
Your rights, your future, your support network — all linked here. Each card covers a different area of support for youth in foster care across SB County and California.
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
Know Your Rights as LGBTQ+ Youth
The National Center for Lesbian Rights advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. You have legal protections against discrimination in your placement, schooling, and care.
+ Placement preference rights
+ Anti-discrimination protections
+ Foster youth legal advocacy
www.nclrights.org
MENTAL HEALTH
Substance Use & Mental Health Recovery
SBC Department of Behavioral Health offers free counseling and substance use recovery services for youth and families in San Bernardino County.
+ Free counseling services
+ Substance use recovery
+ Crisis intervention 24/7
wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sudrs
DOCUMENTS & RECORDS
Access Your Foster Care Documents
SBC CFS provides direct document access — case files, medical records, educational records, and placement history. Know what's in your file.
+ Case file access requests
+ Medical & school records
+ Placement history
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
JOBS & CAREER
Jobs, Training & Employment
California EDD connects transition-age foster youth to job training, apprenticeships, and employment support across all California counties.
+ Youth employment programs
+ Vocational training
+ Job search & resume help
edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training
LEGAL RIGHTS
Your Rights at Court
Foster youth have the right to attend, speak, and be heard at dependency court hearings. Guides available through SBC CFS to understand your rights.
+ Dependency court overview
+ How to request changes
+ Speak up at your hearing
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
‹
›
FOR RESOURCE PARENTS
Resource Parent Toolkit
From becoming a licensed resource parent to navigating kinship care, court hearings, and long-term support — everything you need is here, directly linked to trusted California sources.
01
Become a Resource Parent
Learn the full licensing process for San Bernardino County — from orientation through home study, training requirements, and background checks.
→ Orientation & application steps
→ STRTP & resource family standards
→ SBC CFS online intake portal
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2
02
Research-Backed Training (CalSWEC)
UC Berkeley's California Social Work Education Center conducts leading research on child welfare practice, providing evidence-based training guides for resource families.
→ Research reports & policy briefs
→ Evidence-based practice guides
→ Professional development tools
socialwelfare.berkeley.edu → CalSWEC
03
Kinship Care — SBC County
If you're a relative or close family friend caring for a child, you have special rights and access to additional financial support and services through SBC CFS Kinship Services.
→ Kinship navigator program
→ Relative approval process
→ Emergency placement supports
cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship
04
Kinship Care — State Level (CDSS)
California CDSS provides statewide kinship care policies, financial assistance programs, and Kinship Caregiver Support Services (KCSS) available across all 58 counties.
→ Kinship caregiver assistance program
→ Kin-GAP & KINS eligibility
→ Statewide support hotline
cdss.ca.gov → Kinship Care
05
What to Expect at Court
Navigate the dependency court process with confidence. SBC CFS provides detailed guides on hearing types, your rights as a caregiver, and how to advocate effectively for the child in your care.
→ Jurisdiction & disposition hearings
→ Six-month review process
→ Caregiver rights in court
cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court
06
Long-Term & Permanency Planning
For caregivers considering adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care — explore all options available through SBC CFS. Early permanency planning leads to better outcomes for youth.
→ Adoption & legal guardianship
→ Long-term foster care options
→ Post-permanency support services
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2 (Permanency)
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Common Questions Answered
Q
Can I access my case files as a foster youth?
Yes. Under California law, foster youth have the right to access their own case records. Contact your SBC CFS caseworker or use the document access portal at cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2 to submit a request.
Q
How do I become a kinship caregiver?
Relatives and close family friends can apply for relative approval through SBC CFS. The process is faster than full foster licensing. Visit cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship or call the SBC CFS Kinship Services line.
Q
Are there job training programs for former foster youth?
Yes — California EDD offers the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative, vocational training programs, and employment specialists. Transition-age youth (18–21) qualify for extended services.
Q
What Medicaid services cover behavioral health?
Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) covers individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, group therapy, crisis services, and targeted case management. Connect with your caseworker to verify specific benefit eligibility.
Q
What happens at a dependency court hearing?
A judge reviews the child's case and makes decisions about placement, services, and permanency. Caregivers and youth have the right to speak. See cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court for a full hearing guide.
Q
What LGBTQ+ protections exist for youth in care?
California law prohibits discrimination in foster placements based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Youth have the right to request LGBTQ+-affirming placements. NCLR (nclrights.org) provides free legal support.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FOCUS
Your Local SB County Resource Network
SBC Children & Family Services
The county agency overseeing all foster care placements, licensing, kinship care, and child welfare services in San Bernardino County.
Main Portal →
Community Groups & Rallies
ANBFFA partners with local foster family associations, community advocacy groups, and online networks hosting events, meetups, and virtual rallies for SB County families.
Foster Parent Associations →
Online Resources & Digital Access
Access the SBC CFS online document portal, CalSWEC research library, EDD job boards, and other digital tools from any device — no appointment needed.
CalSWEC Research Library →
Can't Find What You Need?
Our team at ANBFFA can connect you directly with the right service, caseworker, or community program. No question is too small — we're here to help.
Contact ANBFFA Today
Free • Confidential • Serving San Bernardino County & Southern California
A New Beginning
Foster Family Agency
Helping to rebuild the lives of children and youth through compassionate foster care services since 2005. Serving the High Desert community of California.
Contact Us
15729 Main Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
Fax: (760) 244-8099
anbffa@gmail.com
2026 A New Beginning Foster Family Agency. All rights reserved.
Licensed by the State of California
ABOUT THIS HUB
ANBFFA's Commitment to Connected Care
A New Beginning Foster Family Agency (ANBFFA) serves as a bridge between foster families, youth, and the extensive network of California state resources. This hub compiles the most critical, actionable information for everyone navigating the foster care system in Southern California — with a special focus on San Bernardino County.
Our resource partners include the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (SBC CFS), and community organizations committed to supporting youth and families through every stage of their journey.
Whether you're a youth in care, a prospective resource parent, or a kinship caregiver — we've organized everything below by who it's for, so you can find what you need quickly.
California Dept. of Social Services
The primary state resource for foster care, adoption, and resource family support. CDSS manages licensing, training, and program oversight for all foster care placements in California.
cdss.ca.gov → Foster Care & Adoption Resources
FOR YOUTH IN CARE
Resources Made for You
Your rights, your future, your support network — all linked here. Each card covers a different area of support for youth in foster care across SB County and California.
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
Know Your Rights as LGBTQ+ Youth
The National Center for Lesbian Rights advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. You have legal protections against discrimination in your placement, schooling, and care.
+ Placement preference rights
+ Anti-discrimination protections
+ Foster youth legal advocacy
www.nclrights.org
MENTAL HEALTH
Substance Use & Mental Health Recovery
SBC Department of Behavioral Health offers free counseling and substance use recovery services for youth and families in San Bernardino County.
+ Free counseling services
+ Substance use recovery
+ Crisis intervention 24/7
wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sudrs
DOCUMENTS & RECORDS
Access Your Foster Care Documents
SBC CFS provides direct document access — case files, medical records, educational records, and placement history. Know what's in your file.
+ Case file access requests
+ Medical & school records
+ Placement history
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
JOBS & CAREER
Jobs, Training & Employment
California EDD connects transition-age foster youth to job training, apprenticeships, and employment support across all California counties.
+ Youth employment programs
+ Vocational training
+ Job search & resume help
edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training
LEGAL RIGHTS
Your Rights at Court
Foster youth have the right to attend, speak, and be heard at dependency court hearings. Guides available through SBC CFS to understand your rights.
+ Dependency court overview
+ How to request changes
+ Speak up at your hearing
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
‹
›
FOR RESOURCE PARENTS
Resource Parent Toolkit
From becoming a licensed resource parent to navigating kinship care, court hearings, and long-term support — everything you need is here, directly linked to trusted California sources.
01
Become a Resource Parent
Learn the full licensing process for San Bernardino County — from orientation through home study, training requirements, and background checks.
→ Orientation & application steps
→ STRTP & resource family standards
→ SBC CFS online intake portal
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2
02
Research-Backed Training (CalSWEC)
UC Berkeley's California Social Work Education Center conducts leading research on child welfare practice, providing evidence-based training guides for resource families.
→ Research reports & policy briefs
→ Evidence-based practice guides
→ Professional development tools
socialwelfare.berkeley.edu → CalSWEC
03
Kinship Care — SBC County
If you're a relative or close family friend caring for a child, you have special rights and access to additional financial support and services through SBC CFS Kinship Services.
→ Kinship navigator program
→ Relative approval process
→ Emergency placement supports
cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship
04
Kinship Care — State Level (CDSS)
California CDSS provides statewide kinship care policies, financial assistance programs, and Kinship Caregiver Support Services (KCSS) available across all 58 counties.
→ Kinship caregiver assistance program
→ Kin-GAP & KINS eligibility
→ Statewide support hotline
cdss.ca.gov → Kinship Care
05
What to Expect at Court
Navigate the dependency court process with confidence. SBC CFS provides detailed guides on hearing types, your rights as a caregiver, and how to advocate effectively for the child in your care.
→ Jurisdiction & disposition hearings
→ Six-month review process
→ Caregiver rights in court
cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court
06
Long-Term & Permanency Planning
For caregivers considering adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care — explore all options available through SBC CFS. Early permanency planning leads to better outcomes for youth.
→ Adoption & legal guardianship
→ Long-term foster care options
→ Post-permanency support services
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2 (Permanency)
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Common Questions Answered
Q
Can I access my case files as a foster youth?
Yes. Under California law, foster youth have the right to access their own case records. Contact your SBC CFS caseworker or use the document access portal at cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2 to submit a request.
Q
How do I become a kinship caregiver?
Relatives and close family friends can apply for relative approval through SBC CFS. The process is faster than full foster licensing. Visit cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship or call the SBC CFS Kinship Services line.
Q
Are there job training programs for former foster youth?
Yes — California EDD offers the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative, vocational training programs, and employment specialists. Transition-age youth (18–21) qualify for extended services.
Q
What Medicaid services cover behavioral health?
Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) covers individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, group therapy, crisis services, and targeted case management. Connect with your caseworker to verify specific benefit eligibility.
Q
What happens at a dependency court hearing?
A judge reviews the child's case and makes decisions about placement, services, and permanency. Caregivers and youth have the right to speak. See cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court for a full hearing guide.
Q
What LGBTQ+ protections exist for youth in care?
California law prohibits discrimination in foster placements based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Youth have the right to request LGBTQ+-affirming placements. NCLR (nclrights.org) provides free legal support.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FOCUS
Your Local SB County Resource Network
SBC Children & Family Services
The county agency overseeing all foster care placements, licensing, kinship care, and child welfare services in San Bernardino County.
Community Groups & Rallies
ANBFFA partners with local foster family associations, community advocacy groups, and online networks hosting events, meetups, and virtual rallies for SB County families.
Online Resources & Digital Access
Access the SBC CFS online document portal, CalSWEC research library, EDD job boards, and other digital tools from any device — no appointment needed.
Can't Find What You Need?
Our team at ANBFFA can connect you directly with the right service, caseworker, or community program. No question is too small — we're here to help.
Contact ANBFFA Today
Free • Confidential • Serving San Bernardino County & Southern California
A New Beginning
Foster Family Agency
Helping to rebuild the lives of children and youth through compassionate foster care services since 2005. Serving the High Desert community of California.
Contact
15729 Main Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
Fax: (760) 244-8099
anbffa@gmail.com
2026 A New Beginning Foster Family Agency. All rights reserved.
Licensed by the State of California