Friends of the Children’s
Impact on Foster Care and Mental Health
Friends of the Children is proud to celebrate the transformative impact of our professional mentoring model on children and families affected by foster care and mental health barriers. For 30 years, we have empowered youth to overcome systemic obstacles. Our two-generation approach has demonstrated measurable outcomes and proven effectiveness in promoting family stability and preventing child welfare involvement.
Our trauma-informed and culturally responsive mentoring has significantly improved the mental health of the youth we serve, with 98% of youth making progress in social and emotional development and 70% of teens accessing counseling services when needed. By enhancing and expanding access to crucial mental health supports, we help reduce strain on the system and increase engagement for those in need.
Our dedicated approach to work in foster care has yielded remarkable outcomes: reducing foster care entry, shortening stays, and preventing re-entry. Preliminary data from our pilot projects in Los Angeles and Austin show that children with a Friend remain safely with family and avoid foster care. As we look to the future, we are committed to reducing the number of 5-year-olds entering foster care by 10% by 2030, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be safe, well, and reach their full potential.
