Did you know? Lilliput and Wayfinder Family Services merged in 2020 and as of 2023, will be known as Wayfinder Family Services. As Wayfinder Family Services, we will continue to stand in the gap and change the future, embracing the spirit of our name: we forge ahead, we find a way, whatever it takes. We are Wayfinder.
We’re so proud of Lilliput’s history and even more excited about our future as Wayfinder Family Services. Our goal remains unchanged: do whatever it takes to give children the opportunity to be part of a safe, nurturing, lifelong family. Our commitment is unwavering: As Wayfinder Family Services, we now serve more than 21,000 children and families across California. Our team is stronger than ever: with offices across the state, we have deep partnerships, more resources and increased impact.
Our goal is to ensure every child has an opportunity to be part of a safe, nurturing, lifelong family. We are committed to the highest quality in child welfare programs, building healthier families and finding loving homes for children. We have offices across the state, serving over two dozen counties. Our programs have a strong commitment to inclusive services for all families, including LGBTQIA+ families.
WAYFINDER’S CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
We serve multiple counties throughout California. Click below to see our locations or read more about each of our programs to see which areas they serve.
Visit our career portal to join our team in Northern California. We are also hiring statewide!
Lead the way and make an impact.
With over 60,000 young people in California’s foster care system, we invite you to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive resource parent today. Our families represent the cultural diversity of our communities, and we welcome all qualified and nurturing prospective parents to take the next step, including single parents and LBGTQ+ families.
INVEST IN THE FUTURE.
Children who grow up in a family are more likely to graduate high school, pursue further education, and engage in productive activities, eventually becoming leaders in our communities.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP.
Kinship Support Services (KSSP)WHAT IS KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM?
Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP) is a free program designed to provide resources and support to help improve outcomes for families formed through kinship care. KSSP is funded by some California counties and offered in collaboration with community-based service providers. Check our locations page to find out if KSSP is offered in the county where you reside.
WHAT IS THE NEED?
Over 600,000 grandparents in California are raising their grandchildren – the highest such statistic in the country. It’s not just grandparents tackling this responsibility, but other relatives and family friends as well.
HOW CAN KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM HELP?
KSSP is designed to provide support to kinship families – particularly those formed voluntarily, without the assistance of a child welfare agency. Rarely are families prepared for a situation like this. And that’s where KSSP can help.
KSSP provides support to relatives facing the challenge of raising kin, and also helps connect families in similar situations. In addition, we offer:
IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN
IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY
WHAT IS FAMILY FINDING?
We conduct an exhaustive search for relatives and other people close to the child in foster care (i.e. godparents, family friends, etc.). The goal is to link children to important people in their life so they can live with someone they know, rather than a foster family who is unknown to them. We strive to establish ongoing connections between the child and known adults, regardless of whether they will be placed with them or not.
HERE’S WHY FAMILY FINDING IS SO IMPORTANT
Our Family Finders build upon a child’s natural support network to increase the likelihood that their connections to siblings and extended family are not severed when they enter foster care. This is important because studies show that children who are placed with relatives experience less trauma and have fewer moves, and siblings are more likely to be able to stay together when they are placed with a relative.
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY:
FAMILY FINDING, ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES LOCATIONS:
WHAT ARE POST ADOPTION SERVICES?
Wayfinder offers a variety of support groups, classes and social events for families in many of the communities we serve. We are fortunate to have solid partnerships with our public agency partners, offering comprehensive Post Adoption Service programs in 20 counties throughout Northern California. Contact the post adoption worker serving your community to determine which services are available in your area. Services may include:
For additional trainings and resources please visit: https://capostadoption.org/
POST ADOPTION SERVICE PROGRAM
In partnership with CDSS, Adoptions Services Branch- remote social workers
Serving Del Norte and Trinity Counties
Antioch office serving Contra Costa County – 925.384.1650
Stockton office serving San Joaquin County – 209.645.5692
Serving Tuolumne County – remote social worker
Visitation and Coaching Services
These services help children in out-of-home care maintain relationships with their parents or other birth family. This reduces the sense of loss and abandonment children experience when placed in foster care. Our services include safe supervision of visits, teaching and coaching parents in positive parenting skills for visits, and promoting bonding between parents and their infants and toddlers.
Clinical Prevention Services
Home to Stay offers counseling and support services to kinship and birth families who are at high risk for out of home placement in Placer County. We provide short-term in home counseling and parent education to enhance parenting skills, building supports and mitigating behavioral health risks to youth and families. For more information, call (530) 722-2233 or email hometostay@wayfinderfamily.org.
Specialty Mental Health delivers mental health services to children and youth ages 0 to 21 and their families in Shasta County. To reduce out-of-home placements, families enhance parenting skills; increase protective factors, coping skills and resilience; and improve child and family functioning.
Promoting Safe & Stable Families in Butte County assists families that are at imminent risk of entry into foster care and families transitioning from family reunification to family maintenance and case closure. PSSF also helps parents whose children are being returned to them after they have received reunification services for a period of time. See Full Program Here.
Youth Empowerment Services (YES) is a work‐based learning program focusing on mental wellness and designed to empower our youth to learn, earn, and connect. Using a positive youth development framework, the program emphasizes opportunities that maximize engagement, mitigate mental health and wellness challenges, all while supporting the healing for vulnerable youth. Our youth are regarded as community assets, change agents, and influencer’s who have the power to improve mental wellness. The overarching goals are: the destigmatization of mental health challenges; assist youth in strengthening their resiliency; and to inform the needs of the community mental health system.
What services our youth will receive:
• Complete 20 hours of either Mental Wellness Champions training or the Community Resiliency Model and 15 hours of youth-centered service projects
• Learn the basics of mental health and well-being to increase their mental health awareness
• Develop leadership and empowerment skills
• Explore perceptions and impacts of stigma around mental health and wellness
• Identify support systems, trusted adults, and local resources
• Improve their communication and social-emotional skills
• Develop and discover their sense of self -“Who am I to my family, friends, community?”
• Learn about different stress responses and build on skills of resiliency
• Earn a stipend and/or participate in a group celebration activity at completion of program/graduation
Youth Empowerment Services (YES) are provided by Wayfinder Family Services in partnership with the County of Butte Department of Behavioral Services and through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
For more information please contact us at: (530) 896-1920
*Referrals for services and eligibility criteria are determined by Butte County Behavioral Health
Our workshops strengthen families by helping them understand the experiences of a child in foster care and the unique dynamics of building a family through kinship care or adoption.
Advance your skills working with adoptive youth families. As a leader in our industry, we are dedicated to helping child welfare and mental health professionals develop their skills through advanced training and consultation.
I don’t want to see my grandchildren on the news,” Monica wrote to the director of social services. She knew her young grandsons were in danger because their mother, Eva*, had a mental illness, which was later diagnosed as schizophrenia. Monica needed to get them help. Eva’s trouble began three years earlier, after she gave birth…
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