Serving Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County
"Children come first above all else"
About Us
HUGS Foster Family Agency understands that at one point in our lives we all had dreams and desires for our future. Those dreams should not stop because a child has been placed in foster care. We strive to help children achieve their dreams by providing a strong family foundation which in turn gives them the support they need to move forward.
We need families that would be willing to help teenagers on their journey to adulthood. Teenagers are the future leaders of our country and any guidance we give them will help them make better decisions.
Most of our Resource Families are Nurses who care for the medically fragile children in our population. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals on our team.
AWARDS
Our Goal
How We're Helping
We are a community-based organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. With the help of our tireless staff, we organize fundraisers, exciting community-building events, and in-depth training sessions for our Foster Parents. Opening your heart and home to a child in need of a warm, loving, stable environment is a rewarding experience! Watching a child develop into a happy, trusting, loving child or adult is immeasurable. In most cases, foster family agencies work with children whose individual and family needs require a higher level of supervision and support that can be provided by county licensed homes.
Get Involved
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team! Whether you work outside the home, a stay-at-home parent or retired, married or single, if you meet HUGS Foster Family Agency qualifications and pass a background check you can become a HUGS certified foster parent.
Thank You
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you. We provide on-going training to help foster parents meet individual challenges of children placed in their care and your assigned HUGS social worker is available 24/7. A team approach is used that consists of the agency staff, agency and county social workers, agency certified foster parents and family advocates.
Insight to our program
Covid-19
We are proud to share that our organization has been 100% vaccinated. Our staff embraces the recommendations of the CDC. We are focused and committed to do our part while enduring the challenges of the pandemic.
Detailed services
Nurses on staff to provide medical support and training for our medically fragile population.
Children with special healthcare needs, developmental delays, emotional or behavioral issues will be placed with one of our specially trained resource families. Before any family accepts a medically fragile placement into their home, they must meet with the agency nurse and usually attend a “Bates” meeting that identifies each child's specific needs.
Program Goal
The program's goal includes providing children with trauma-informed, culturally relevant and age and developmentally appropriate services so that they grow and thrive while in care and beyond using the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) Model of Practice.
Training
Prior to receiving their first medically fragile placement, all specialized homes must complete the 9 hours of medically fragile training conducted by the HUGS Nurse. Once certified or approved, this does not preclude them from taking a child with non-medical needs before taking this training. An exception to this rule would be certified or approved parents who hold a valid license as an MD, RN, or LVN. These families must still complete the 9-hour training but not necessarily prior to taking their first medically fragile placement.
Hugs Staff
HUGS Foster Family Agency social workers will make weekly contact with certified and resource families caring for medically fragile children. Two contacts monthly must take place in the foster home. Social workers are required to document medical and educational appointments. Social workers will update the agency Registered Nurse if there are any potential concerns of children with medical needs assigned to their caseload. The HUGS Registered Nurses will be responsible for assessing each child's designated Special Healthcare needs upon or prior to placement. After placement, the agency nurse will make contact and home visits as often as needed, depending on each child's needs.
Volunteers
HUGS Foster Family Agency will utilize volunteers in two ways. Some volunteers will be utilized to assist the agency in managing donations, organizing and volunteering at public events, assembling packets, and other administrative tasks. Other volunteers will be utilized in regards to specific youth and their needs with the permission of the Child and Family Team, placing agency social worker and the assigned HUGS social worker.
CARF Accreditation
For the third time in a row, we have received a Three-Year Accreditation, which has been awarded to Hugs Foster Family Agency for the following program services, Foster Family and Kinship care (Children and Adolescents).
Donate Now
We are dedicated to improving the lives of those in our community. Your contribution today helps us make a difference.
