Frequently Asked Questions

Who came up with the idea for the Children's Village of Sonoma County and why?

Lia Rowley, with 25 years of professional experience working with children and their families, saw that the needs of neglected children were not being met. She envisioned a village which would provide loving homes for these children and which would give them stability and a sense of belonging. When Georgia Moses was found murdered by the side of the freeway in Petaluma, Lia was moved to forge ahead and organized others to join her in the effort to create The Village. Lia started the non-profit in 1997 (in response to Georgia's death), then 9 years later The Village opened it's doors to the children. top

What is The Children's Village of Sonoma County all about?

The Children's Village of Sonoma County is a community that provides nurturing family homes in a multi-generational, enriched environment for children and their siblings in foster care. When completely built, it will consist of 8 six-bedroom homes with trained "village parents" who will create the feeling of family for the children. And it will have six apartments for seniors who will be "grandparents" to the children giving them additional nurturing and care. There is a team of trained staff and volunteers who run programs to meet the emotional, educational, social and recreational needs of the children. top

How is this different from foster care?

One of the priorities of The Village is to accept sibling groups so brothers and sisters can grow up together. In regular foster care, 67% of sibling groups entering the program are separated and have to be sent to different foster homes.

Village parents are supervised and supported as they meet the challenge of rearing children who are insecure, anxious, fearful and sometimes resentful. They are part of a team that will meet once a week with clinical staff. In the more traditional foster care model, the foster parent must depend for support and oversight on an overworked social worker who has time primarily for emergencies.

Children living in The Village will not suffer the anxiety of having their placement terminated because the foster parents want them to move on. They will be secure in the knowledge that this is their "home". top

Why is this Village so important?

The challenges that children in foster care face often lead to serious feelings of insecurity, anxiety, fearfulness and hostility and these in turn lead to serious problems in adulthood. Within four years of leaving foster care: 25% are homeless; 50% are unemployed; 40% are on public assistance. The Village's innovative model is working to give children secure and happy childhoods so that they will grow up to be emotionally healthy adults equipped to lead productive lives. top

Where is The Village located and when will construction be completed?

It is located on 2.2 acres, 1315 Kawana Terrace Road (now Lia Lane) in SE Santa Rosa, California. Phase I, consisted of four houses and four senior apartments, has been completed and celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2006. Construction is continuing. top

Where do the children come from?

All children who come to The Children's Village are referred by the Department of Social Services and are from the foster care system. top

Why have these children not been adopted?

Parental rights may not have been terminated. Adoptive parents prefer to adopt young children generally under age 3. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find adoptive parents willing to accept children with serious behavioral or emotional problems. Cases of traumatic backgrounds and histories of various abuses also make adoptive parents wary of adopting. top

Where do "Village Parents" come from and what training will they receive?

Full-time, live-in Village Parents are recruited locally, statewide, and if need be, nationally. They receive training in all aspects of parenting and special issues related to the special needs of these children. Training also includes building positive relationships and fostering emotional growth and independence for the children in their care. top

Do the "Village Parents" have to be married and are they allowed to work outside the home?

The Children's Village of Sonoma County would prefer to staff the homes with married couples. However, single parents are always an option. If they are single, they are considered a full-time parent and their job is solely the care and proper raising of the children. In the case of married couples, one parent is designated to be the "stay-at-home" parent, while the other is able to work full time outside the home. top

What is the role of the "Associate Parents"?

Associate Parents live off-site, unlike the Village Parents. They assist the parents in carrying out the daily duties required to care for the children or to care for them during the Village Parents' absence. top

Where do the "Village Grandparents" come from and what is their role?

They are recruited locally and chosen for their experience and love of children. They live in The Village apartments and commit to volunteer time with the children. They are available to read, play, share special skills with the children and serve as mentors. As the seniors in The Village, they provide the important inter-generational component of The Village's innovative model. top

How long do the children stay in The Village?

The children will stay until age eighteen unless, in rare cases, they are reunified with their parents or adopted. The Village staff work with children to develop life skills so they will be comfortable and competent to leave at the age of eighteen. However, we recognize that some children may need more time before they are fully ready to leave home, and special programs may be designed for those children that provide ongoing support. top

How will family bonds be formed?

Each home functions as a regular family unit: siblings around the dinner table together; each member participating in housework. Each family will have their own set of experiences. Family photos and children's artwork are unique to each family. top

How are community bonds formed?

When fully operating, the Children's Village of Sonoma County will have eight families living in a neighborhood of single family homes. Though the families will be independent, they will have activities together and support each other. They will make up The Village Community. Bonds with the greater community will be formed because the children attend local schools. They will participate in youth activities outside The Village especially in sports. The goal is to give the children as normal a life as possible. top

Are there any other villages in California?

No. While there are other "villages " with similar models as this throughout the world, there are only a few similar to it in the United States: the SOS villages in Florida and Illinois. top

How is The Children's Village of Sonoma County funded?

The funds to operate The Village come from: 75% from the foster care system and 25% from grants and private donations. The funds to build The Village are coming solely from private donations and grants. top