TIES For Families
http://www.healthychild.ucla.edu/ourwork/ties-for-families/
UCLA TIES for Families optimizes the growth and development of children with special needs from birth to age 21 with special needs who are, or have been in foster care, and are in some stage of adoptive or other permanency planning option. The program reduces barriers to permanency for the children by preparing foster and/or adoptive parents countywide, supporting the children and their foster and/or adoptive families with an array of high-quality, accessible, and free comprehensive services. TIES for Families’ interdisciplinary services include comprehensive mental health, pediatric, educational, and speech and language consultation, occupational therapy, youth and parent mentorship, and therapeutic behavioral services to address the wide range of psychological, psychiatric, social, and educational needs presented by children and families.
UCLA TIES for Families also provides training for students, professionals, and community agencies. Based on the promising results, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) implemented a satellite of the project in the South Bay and has designated UCLA TIES as Community Defined Evidence Based Practice. TIES for Families is a collaboration of the Center, the UCLA Psychology Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Adoptions Division, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, and private foundations.