In addition to direct support for children and teenagers that don't have families able to take care of them, Children's Aid and Family Services also provides support to individual children, teens, young adults, seniors and their families to navigate the many challenges and transition of life. In today's challenging times, every family needs help and support. Our family and community-based programs are designed to provide the support needed to triumph over the difficult periods.

Many of our family and community-based programs and services are provided at the Family & Adoption Services Center, located at 148 Prospect Street in Ridgewood, NJ and may include:

• Counseling for children, couples, families, and individuals during times of relationship problems, loss, separation, divorce, and step-parenting, stress situations, and other difficult times.
  
  
• Information & Referral Services - identifying needs and direct individuals, families and other service providers to appropriate Community Resources and services.
  
  
• Social Skills Groups for Children and Preteens ages 41/2 to 12: 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. Click here for more details.
  
  
• Parenting Skills Support - There are two community education and ongoing parent group support programs and one individual parenting support program. "Every Person Influences Children" (EPIC) is a 12-session parenting skills course held in several different Bergen County locations, focusing on the stresses of raising children. The agency designed this 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 and is held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. "Individual Skill Development for Parents" is open to parents wanting assistance in parenting their child(ren) with specific goals to be accomplished. Click here for more details.
  
  
• Trauma and Crisis Services - triage assessment and intervention provided at times of individual and community crisis.
  
  
• Pre and Post Adoption Counseling Services (PACS) for children, teens, parents and families. PACS staff provides counseling and resources for families involved in the adoption process, available to any adoptive family within Bergen and Passaic County. The PACS clinical team provides family, individual and group counseling using today's most effective therapeutic techniques, including life book, identity work, and child play therapy. Click here for more details.
  
  
• Baby Basics Program assists low-income families through donations from the community of formula and diapers and other baby essentials. Click here for more details.
  
  
• Early childhood education and learning is provided at Turrell Child Care & Early Learning Center at 200 Robin Road, Paramus. This state-of-the-art center serves infants and children ages 8 weeks thru kindergarten. Click here for more details.
  
  
• Senior services: Social work support is provided at the Bergen County senior centers at 46-50 Center Street in Midland Park; Americas Unidas Multicultural Center at 133 River Street in Hackensack; and Garfield Senior Activity Center at 480 Midland Avenue, Garfield. Click here for more details.