FOSTER RESOURCES HUB
Everything You Need,
All in One Place
Tips, Q&As, articles, and hyperlinks for foster youth and families in San Bernardino County.
Info
Youth
Parents
Q&A
ABOUT THIS HUB
ANBFFA's Commitment
to Connected Care
ANBFFA bridges foster families, youth, and California's resource network. This hub compiles the most critical, actionable information for everyone navigating foster care in Southern California — with a special focus on San Bernardino County.
California Dept. of Social Services
Primary state resource for foster care, adoption, and resource family support statewide.
FOR YOUTH IN CARE
Resources Made
for You
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
Know Your Rights as LGBTQ+ Youth
✓ Placement preference rights
✓ Anti-discrimination protections
✓ Free legal advocacy
nclrights.org
MENTAL HEALTH
Substance Use & Mental Health
✓ Free counseling
✓ Recovery programs
✓ 24/7 crisis line
wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sudrs
YOUR DOCUMENTS
Access Your Foster Care Records
✓ Case file access
✓ Medical records
✓ Placement history
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
JOBS & TRAINING
Jobs, Training & Employment (EDD)
✓ Youth job programs
✓ Vocational training
✓ Employment support
edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training
LEGAL RIGHTS
Your Rights at Court
✓ Dependency court guide
✓ How to be heard
✓ Request changes to your case
cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2
‹
›
FOR RESOURCE PARENTS
Resource Parent
Toolkit
01
Become a Resource Parent
Full licensing process for SB County — orientation, home study, training & background checks.
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2
02
Research-Backed Training (CalSWEC)
UC Berkeley's CalSWEC provides evidence-based training guides and research for resource families.
socialwelfare.berkeley.edu → CalSWEC
03
Kinship Care — SBC County
Relative approval process, kinship navigator program, and emergency placement support in SB County.
cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship
04
Kinship Care — State (CDSS)
Statewide kinship policies, financial assistance programs, and Kin-GAP eligibility across all 58 counties.
cdss.ca.gov → Kinship Care
05
What to Expect at Court
Hearing types, caregiver rights, and how to advocate effectively for the child in your care.
cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court
06
Long-Term & Permanency Planning
Adoption, legal guardianship, and long-term foster care options with post-permanency support.
cfs.sbcounty.gov/parents-2 (Permanency)
COMMON QUESTIONS
Q&A
Q
Can I access my case files?
Yes — submit a request via your caseworker or the SBC CFS document portal at cfs.sbcounty.gov/resources-2-2.
Q
What does Medicaid cover for behavioral health?
Medi-Cal covers therapy, psychiatric evaluations, group counseling, crisis services, and targeted case management.
Q
How do I become a kinship caregiver?
Apply through SBC CFS for relative approval — faster than full licensing. Visit cfs.sbcounty.gov/kinship.
Q
What happens at a court hearing?
A judge reviews placement and services. Both caregivers and youth have the right to speak. See cfs.sbcounty.gov/what-to-expect-at-court.
Q
Are there job programs for former foster youth?
Yes — EDD's Foster Youth to Independence program offers job training, apprenticeships, and employment support (ages 18–21).
Q
What LGBTQ+ protections exist in foster care?
CA law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity. Youth can request affirming placements. NCLR provides free legal help.
SB COUNTY
Your Local SB County
Resource Network
Can't Find
What You Need?
ANBFFA connects you directly with the right caseworker, program, or community resource.
Free • Confidential • SB County & Southern CA
ANBFFA
A New Beginning Foster Family Agency
Serving San Bernardino County since 2005.
Licensed by the State of California.
SERVICES
Home
Programs
Behavioral Health
Foster Resources
Contact Us
CONTACT
15729 Main Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
anbffa@gmail.com
© 2025 A New Beginning Foster Family Agency. All rights reserved.
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 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.
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Licensed by the State of California
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.