News
Celebrating 120 Years of Empowering Youth
Celebrating their 120th anniversary, Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (SSYF) provides a continuum of care to empower youth and families to overcome challenges together, as well as connects youth in foster care to the permanent loving families they need and deserve. SSYF annually serves 4,500 youth and their families throughout 17 Northern California counties.
SSYF was originally founded in 1900 and has remained committed to helping vulnerable children and families since inception. Throughout the years, the organization has transformed from an orphanage to a community based organization focused on ensuring every young person has a family and the tools to overcome their challenges, so they can become healthy, happy, and successful.
With the merger in 2019, Stanford Youth Solutions and Sierra Forever Families became SSYF which offers greater depth of services, staff, resources, and expertise. Uniquely designed programs help end the child welfare cycle by keeping children safe and together with family, in school and out of trouble. Services include family stabilization, behavioral and mental health services, juvenile justice intervention, foster care and pre- and post-adoption support. “Over the years, our organization has continuously evolved to meet the needs of youth and families. What hasn’t changed is our determination to help youth overcome obstacles, develop life skills, and grow into self-sufficient adults. We support the entire family with professional treatment and compassionate care, so every youth has the opportunity to thrive”, says Dr. Laura Heintz, CEO.
SSYF looks forward to many more years of continuing to fulfill the organization’s vision of communities with safe, lifelong connections for all young people, built and strengthened through generations of empowered families.
Thank you to our community Partner, Comstock’s Magazine for helping us highlight this momentous occasion in their December edition!
First Star Sacramento State Academy
Apply Today
The First Star Sacramento State Academy is a free, comprehensive college access program for youth in Sacramento County Foster Care.
Click on the PDF icon for more information, eligibility requirements, and application.
Dr. Laura Heintz Public File Interview
Kat Maudru interviews CEO, Dr. Laura Heintz
Thanks to Kat Maudru and The Public File for the opportunity to share about the needs of young people in our community.
Pathways to Permanency: Promoting Connections During Times of Crisis
Going about normal routines and balancing new challenges can be difficult during these uncertain times. Many organizations have been forced to restructure, furlough, or even stop providing crucial services to the community. At Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (SSYF), we have been delivering and will continue to deliver essential services to youth and families within our programs, all while focusing on the safety and well-being of all within our communities. The challenges we face during this time will provide us with invaluable tools and resources for years to come.
Introducing Stanford Sierra Youth & Families
Stanford Youth Solutions + Sierra Forever Families is proud to announce our new identity – Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (SSYF). SSYF believes each and every child deserves the love, safety, and unconditional commitment of a family and the opportunity to develop as a healthy and productive adult.
Family Resources during COVID-19
Discover resources and advice during this uncertain time
As we continue to follow the unfolding COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, our focus is the safety and well-being of all youth and families in our communities. We will continue to provide programs and services to youth and families, and ensure that families are aware of important information and strategies to reduce stress and anxieties during this crisis.