UCLA TIES for Families services are available to children and young people ages birth to 25 in Los Angeles County foster care, kinship care, and those adopted through Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or a Los Angeles area Foster Family Agency (FFA)and their families. 

Families must reside in LA County

There are 2 ways to receive services through UCLA TIES for Families:

• Path #1: TIES PREP

Parents must attend the three 3-hour TIES PREP classes prior to having a child placed. Once these sessions are completed, parents and the children who join their home can access all TIES services for children in their care from birth to age 25. To attend the nine hour TIES PREP classes, prospective resource parents attending Los Angeles County’s Resource Family Approval (RFA) process may contact UCLA TIES for Families’ DCFS Liaison, Kimmey Howard (323-965-6125), to schedule participation. Classes are scheduled regularly throughout the year. After a child(ren) is placed with you please call our main clinic at 310-825-6110 to request services.

• Path #2: Adoption Promotion and Support Services (APSS)

Families who live in the West Los Angeles area (Service Provider Area 5, SPA 5) and are adopting or have adopted a child from foster care can receive services without attending TIES PREP sessions through the DCFS APSS (Adoption Promotion and Support Services) program. APSS is a countywide program that provides case management, mentoring and mental health services to families that include a child or children adopted through Los Angeles County DCFS. Families are referred by the child’s DCFS social worker if the adoption is non-finalized.

If you have any questions regarding whether you are eligible for services , please contact our main clinic at 310-825-6110.