Bithiah's Family Services Pomona Resource Center

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

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

The issue we are addressing is the critical lack of immediate, accessible support for foster children and families during late-night home removals in Los Angeles County. Often, children are removed from their biological parents' care in the evening due to issues such as caretaker alcohol and drug misuse. During these times, there are no available resources or support systems to help children cope with the trauma and instability they face. These children often arrive at their foster homes without basic necessities, compounding their distress. By extending the hours of Bithiah’s Pomona resource center, we aim to provide critical, immediate support during these vulnerable moments. This expansion will ensure that children receive the care and assistance they need right when they need it most. By providing tangible supplies and crisis support Bithiah's will be able to fill the gap in available resources for late-night removals in Los Angeles County.

The grant will support the implementation of an emergency hours program at Bithiah’s Pomona resource center, specifically designed to address the urgent needs of foster children and families during late-night home removals in Los Angeles County. Our center will extend its operating hours to be available 24/7, ensuring that we can provide immediate, critical support during these vulnerable moments. This program will include the following key components: Extended Operating Hours: The center will remain open throughout the night to assist children removed from their homes during late hours. This will ensure that children have a safe place to go and receive support immediately. Immediate Support Services:Our trained staff will be on hand to offer emotional and psychological support to children and families, helping them cope with the trauma and instability of being removed from their homes. This includes individual therapy sessions with licensed clinicians. Provision of Basic Necessities:We will provide tangible necessities such as diapers, wipes, food, cribs, car seats, shoes, clothes, toiletries, backpacks, school supplies, and toys. These items will help ensure that children arriving at foster homes have the essentials they need for their well-being and comfort. By extending our hours and expanding our services we aim to provide stability, comfort, and essential resources to foster children and families, helping to ease their transition and improve their overall well-being

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will experience significant positive changes in the lives of foster children and families, leading to a more supportive and resilient community. Specifically, the following improvements will be seen: Enhanced Immediate Support: Foster children removed from their homes at night will have immediate access to critical support and resources, reducing the trauma and instability they face during these vulnerable moments. Improved Well-being of Foster Children: With access to basic necessities such as food, clothing, and hygiene products, children will experience increased comfort and security when transitioning to foster homes. Stronger Support Networks: By providing emotional and psychological support through therapy and support groups, children and families will have stronger support networks to help them navigate the challenges of foster care. This will lead to healthier, more resilient individuals and families.

1. Defining Success Metrics:
Quantitative Metrics: We will track the number of late-night interventions provided, the increase in clients served annually due to extended hours, and the utilization rate of our emergency services.
Qualitative Metrics: Feedback from foster children and families will be gathered through surveys and interviews to evaluate their satisfaction and the perceived impact of extended hours and provided services.
2. Tracking Outcomes:
We will monitor immediate improvements in children’s well-being upon arrival at foster homes, focusing on the provision and impact of essential items.
3. Documentation and Reporting:
Documentation of interventions, outcomes, and feedback will provide transparent evidence of our impact.
By implementing this structured approach to defining and measuring success, Bithiah’s aims to create lasting improvements in the lives of foster children and families, ensuring they receive the critical support they need during challenging times.