C.A.O.F delivers high-quality residential services that decrease the chances of institutionalization for children who are the most
at risk in our society. We seek to provide youth with a clean, stable, safe physical environment
that supports their psychological, social and mental development. Concentrated in the West San
Fernando Valley where most county resources don�t go, C.A.O.F. is a unique organization that
gives these children a family-style of living in group homes that are largely indistinguishable
from other homes in the neighborhood.
To the extent that they are able to do so, the children attend public school and live as normal
lives as possible. If they need extra help, alternative schools and in-home tutoring provide an
opportunity to participate in education as a positive, self-enhancing experience and to provide tools
that build motivation and facilitate a consistent on-going learning process to develop self-directed,
problem-solving skills, which enables the children to cope and interact with their environment from a position of power versus a
feeling of victimization.
Over the years �mom and pop� group homes have faded. Most group homes are now agency run. CAOF provides our children
with the best of both worlds. Our steady growth over the last 20 years has been slow, our legacy built one house at a time, with staff
training and youth problems solving being our paramount concerns.
Recreation, scheduled and supervised, which is designed on an individual basis as an integral part of the treatment plan. This
program enhances self-esteem, social skills, community participation, creativity and learning through culturally diverse and
enriching experiences.
OurMental Health team consists of highly gifted and educated CaseManagers and Therapists. The Therapists provide individual,
group, and family therapy. Family therapy is structured with a flexible schedule for families that have logistical problems traveling
to the West San Fernando Valley. CAOF has an ILP coordinator that is skilled in assisting the children with Independent Living
Skills and Services for the difficult transition from placement to emancipation and their adult life.
The youth enrichment center provides resources for academic tutoring, academic advocacy, special education placement,
community and volunteer service activities, computer training, and a multi-media resource library. These programs help our
children develop by providing them with confidence-building skills that help them succeed in a competitive world.
In the emancipation program C.A.O.F. partners with other agencies, to establish and successfully complete transition stops to
provide young adults ages 18-21 with residential and social services that are a conduit to college and other career paths that ensure
their success.