First Call for Foster Families

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Los Angeles County has the largest child welfare population in the nation, with a high incidence of placement instability among youth impacted by the foster care, behavioral health, and juvenile justice systems. Placement disruptions are frequently precipitated by acute behavioral episodes, caregiver burnout, or insufficient access to timely, trauma-informed intervention—particularly during evenings, weekends, and other off-hours when traditional support systems are unavailable. These breakdowns result in increased rates of emergency shelter placement, psychiatric hospitalization, and system re-entry, contributing to poorer long-term outcomes for youth and higher system costs. There remains a significant service gap in delivering rapid, clinically-informed stabilization support to prevent these disruptions and promote placement permanency.

This grant will support the expansion of Fostering UNITY’s Therapeutic Shelter Home (TSH) and Therapeutic Family Home (TFH) programs—two innovative models designed to stabilize placements for high-needs, systems-impacted youth in Los Angeles County. These homes serve youth impacted by the child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems who require enhanced emotional, behavioral, and environmental support.
TSH provides short-term, trauma-informed shelter in licensed homes for youth experiencing crisis, while TFH offers longer-term, family-based care for youth needing more stability. This grant will allow us to scale caregiver support by funding community-building activities, peer-led trainings, and ongoing trauma-informed coaching. It will also expand our capacity in Casebook, our case management system, and support clinical oversight by our licensed psychologist.
By investing in the caregivers at the heart of this model, we reduce burnout, prevent disruptions, and ensure youth remain in safe, nurturing environments designed for healing and long-term success.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will have a stronger, more resilient network of Therapeutic Shelter Homes (TSH) and Therapeutic Family Homes (TFH), supported by trained, connected, and empowered caregivers. Placement disruptions will decrease, youth will experience fewer crises and more emotional stability, and caregivers will remain engaged and supported, reducing burnout and turnover. Systems-impacted youth will benefit from safe, consistent environments where healing can begin and long-term well-being is possible. Over time, this model will help shift LA County’s child welfare system from reactive crisis response to proactive, trauma-informed care centered on stability, connection, and trust.
Fewer kids on the street, more kids in the care of trauma trained care givers, and better resource links for those in need.