One of the innovative components of The Children's Village of Sonoma County model is the presence of Village Grandparents who live on-site and provide the "grand parenting" that make children feel nurtured and loved.

An Innovative Model

The Children's Village of Sonoma County provides a unique alternative model for children in foster care.

• A home-like, non-institutional setting: Emphasis is placed on providing an atmosphere of regular family life while avoiding any semblance of an institutional culture.
• On-site, full-time, Village Parents: Parents receive training for the job. It is their responsibility to rear, nurture and care for the children, meeting individual and family needs.
• Village Parents: These parents rotate among all homes to provide relief and assistance when needed and maintain adequate child-adult ratios.
• Village Grandparents: Elders, who live on site, provide the inter-generational component to the Children's Village model. As Village Grandparents they are available to read and play, share any special skills, provide parents with support, and serve as mentors when needed.
• On-site case management: Addressing children's emotional health is an important component of Village life. Upon children's entry and throughout their placement, the clinical social workers assess the needs of each child, and individual case-management plans are implemented. Services include case management and counseling for such issues as abandonment, lack of attachment, abuse or neglect.
• Educational support: An educational coordinator on staff addresses children's educational needs in collaboration with their schools. On-site educational opportunities such as after-school tutoring are provided.
• Social and recreational activities: An activity director on staff provides a variety of appropriate after-school and weekend activities. Community volunteers are utilized to teach and direct meaningful and fun activities such as art, music, sports, gardening and cooking.
• Parent education and support: This unique and critical service is provided on an ongoing and comprehensive basis at The Village. There are weekly meetings with Village Parents and the clinical staff as well as regular training and support groups for all Village staff and volunteers.
• Community involvement: The Children's Village of Sonoma County is an integral part of the community at large. Village children will participate in community youth activities and children from the community are allowed to participate in Village activities.
• Vocational and independent living skills: From an early age, children will be encouraged to participate in the "work" of The Village and of their family home. Older children will participate in an independent living skills program to prepare them for adulthood. The intention is to provide a transition program for children, preparing them for their final move away from the protective arms of The Village.