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.

These services include:

Counseling, Social Skills groups, Information & Referral Services, Community Education/Outreach Services, Foster and Adoptive Family Support Services, Baby Basics, and Group Home Services have focused on the dynamics of human relationships, within and out of the family. All families need help from time to time as they navigate the challenges and difficulties that are part of real life.

Many of these services are provided at Riggs House, 148 Prospect Street in Ridgewood, call (201) 445-7015:

• 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.

• Community Clinical Programs, including Social Skills for Children 4-6 and 7-9 years old including Social Skills Groups for Children, Individual Skill Development for Children in order to help develop social skills that are vital for successful relationships with peer and adults, and for a successful school experience. These groups focus on building and managing friendships, increasing self-confidence, improving communication skills, dealing with anger, and learning better problem-solving skills. Click here for more details.

• Adolescent Groups - Social and Life Skills for ages 10-13 and 14-17 years old including Foundations for Pre-teens and Foundations for Teens Groups. These groups focus on building positive relationships, self-awareness, improving self-esteem, making positive life choices, and preparing and handling life's transitions.

• Adolescent Groups - Educational Programs including PRIME for Life Under 21 (a substance abuse prevention and early intervention program for 13-20 year olds) and What's Driving You? A Teen Driving Safety Awareness Workshop (for ages 16-20 year olds).

• Parenting Skills Support - There are two community education and on-going parent group support programs at CAFS and one individual parenting support program. Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) - 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 offered fully subsidized slots to the community's most at-risk families. Single Parent Group held twice each month for support and parenting education. It is held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:30 p.m.; and 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.

• Foster Family Orientations and Trainings - preparing families for the intensive medical, clinical, and emotional challenges inherent in fostering and adopting. Click here for more details.

• Specialized Clinical Support Services - services supporting children in foster care who have suffered severe trauma and abuse.

• Group Home Support Services - group home support staff providing services ranging from mentoring and life skills to case managers and counselors are providing individual and group counseling and therapy services.

• Baby Basics Program assists families through donations from the community with formula and diapers and other baby essentials, clothing and furniture for those families in need - (distribution centers in Englewood and Ridgewood). Click here for more details.

• Community Education Workshops for parents, professionals and students within schools, churches and other community organizations.

• 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 is open to all. 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.

• Read Now! Reading and literacy support to pre-school age children in disadvantaged communities in Bergen and Passaic counties. Click here for more details.