Effective March 1, Five Acres will expand services by launching a new Transitional Shelter Care (TSC) program on their residential campus in Altadena.
This pilot program, administered through the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, will provide short-term care; up to 72 hours in most cases – for youngsters who are experiencing the trauma of being removed from their families, or who have suffered a placement disruption.
Five Acres’ program will serve girls age 6-14, with a priority to siblings to help keep them together. The girls will stay in the newly renovated TSC cottage, which can accommodate up to 15 residents at a time. Dedicated staff will provide direct care, crisis services, therapeutic interaction, supervision, and comfort during this difficult time in the lives of these young girls. Because children will only be with us for a short time, we anticipate serving hundreds of additional youngsters each year through this unique program.
There are approximately 20,000 boys and girls in Los Angeles County Foster Care, and children are constantly in flux: entering the system, awaiting placement, shifting from one placement to another, transitioning back to biological families, and moving to the homes of relatives, foster, and adoptive families. There simply are not enough beds to accommodate them all during times of transition. Five Acres will help to mitigate this dilemma, by providing a safe, therapeutic place for these girls to land, and provide the care and support they need, on their journey towards permanency.
Gina Perez, Chief Program Officer shares,
“It was vital for Five Acres to respond to the needs of our children and community in providing a safe and supportive temporary haven for girls and in keeping siblings together during the first hours and days of separation from their families.”
About Five Acres
Five Acres is a child and family services agency strengthening families and preventing child abuse through treatment and education in community based and residential programs. Founded in 1888, today Five Acres offers an array of services including community-based services, residential treatment, foster care and adoption, supporting the nearly 8,400 children and families across five counties. More at www.5acres.org
