Often in our lives, as adults and parents, we are faced with challenges concerning ways to strengthen our families, help our children cope, navigate the everyday transitions in life, and for some, manage issues concerning adoption. Where to turn for support can be a bigger challenge as there are limited resources and facilities to address these specific family issues. The Family & Adoption Services Center located in Ridgewood, NJ focuses on various aspects of adoption, as well as counseling services for adoptive families and programs such as Social Skills for children and teenagers.

For more than 110 years, Children's Aid and Family Services has been known for its commitment to adoption and for supporting the most vulnerable children in the communities we serve. While placing children for adoption is still one our core commitments, we've evolved to keep pace with a changing world. Because of our stable and solid background in serving the most vulnerable in the community and our well-established reputation, we've developed the Family & Adoption Services Center to address the needs and concerns of families and individuals seeking support.

The Family & Adoption Services Center is a place for you to turn to when your 13 year old has a bullying problem in school. It's the place for you to turn to when your child is distant and hard to reach. It's the place for you to turn when you're worried about a family member's use of alcohol or drugs. It's also the place for you to turn to if you are thinking about adopting or fostering a child, or if you have already adopted and are seeking help to navigate the specific issues related to this special family relationship.

Clinical Counseling Services provided by a licensed clinical social workers to adults, children, couples and families during times of relationship problems, stress situations, times of transition (e.g., children going off to school, work related concerns, anxiety, depression, self- esteem, parenting, anger management, and difficult times such as separation, divorce, loss, step-parenting, and other family problems).

FREE Pre-Teen Group Workshops
These groups help children learn how to build and manage friendships, boost self-esteem, increase confidence, improve communication skills, deal with teasing and rejection, manage feelings in difficult social situations and learn better problem-solving skills. The group will meet every first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 pm till 8:00 pm at the Family and Adoption Services Center 148 Prospect Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

2012 Schedule
Feburary 7th
March 6th
April 3rd
May 1st

Click here for more information on workshops

Every Person Influences Children" (EPIC) is a 12-session parenting skills course heldin several different Bergen County locations (Paramus and Hackensack), focusing on the stresses of raising children. The agency designedthis workshop series for parents of young children, and offers fully subsidized slots to the community's most at-risk families. "The Single Parent Groups" offer support and parent education, andthe "Individual Skill Development for Parents" is open to parents wanting assistance in parenting their child(ren) with specific goals to be accomplishedThe Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources

Click here for further information on The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources or contact the program staff at 201-488-8680.

We have a strong commitment to supporting adoptive families. We've placed more than 10,000 infants and children with loving adoptive families. We are uniquely qualified to guide you every step of the way, helping you navigate this new terrain by providing comprehensive support and guidance. The Family & Adoption Services Center is the hub of adoption and foster family recruitment orientations, trainings, workshops and support groups. Support services for adoptive families include ongoing workshops covering a myriad of adoption-related topics to address your concerns and answer your questions on this life-changing journey.

Post Adoption Counseling Services (PACS) are available to ANY family that resides in Bergen, Passaic or Essex Counties and has an adopted child under the age of 18. Services may include individual, family therapy/counseling, supportive and group services and educational meetings. PACS specializes in the clinical concerns of adoption including: identity issues; loss and separation; curiosity about origins; and feelings about differences. Families are charged no fees for this service.

The New Jersey Adoption Resources Clearing House (NJ*ARCH) is a statewide one-stop adoption information and resource service for those touched by adoption. NJ·ARCH provides adoption advocacy, support, education, information, and resources to adoptees, adoptive and pre-adoptive families, families interested in adoption, and professionals and community members interested in adoption issues. Services are provided via the NJ·ARCH website, www.njarch.org and a toll-free Warm Line at 877.4.ARCHNJ or 877-427-2465.

The New Jersey Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) Resource Clearing House (KinKonnect) is a web-based service that provides resources and information to families involved with kinship care in the state of New Jersey. KinKonnect is an information center for Kinship Legal Guardianship families. KinKonnect provides information, advocacy, support, education and resources to those involved with Kinship Care. Services are provided via the KinKonnect website, www.kinkonnect.org and a toll-free Warm Line number at 877-KLG-LINE or 877-554-5463.

We offer KLG Counseling to families that reside in Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties (excluding Newark). The services include in-home counseling, utilizing child and family therapy, as well as case management that include an assessment of the child's and family's needs. This service is only available to families that have achieved kinship legal guardianship through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Families are charged no fees for this service.

Call the Family and Adoption Services Center at 201-445-7015 for more information about the programs and services we offer to support and strengthen families.