Homes Sought for Children in Crisis

Interface Children Family Services needs people interested in providing short-term shelter evenings and weekends for children in need.

Cool Homes are residences that help children between ages 10 and 17 who are experiencing a crisis in their homes. The children stay at the Cool Home for one to five evenings. During the day, Interface counselors work with the children and their families at their Youth Crisis Intervention Center to resolve conflicts.

“It’s a cooling-off period for the family with the parent and child agreeing to it,” said Maureen Miller, coordinator of volunteer services. “Interface then works with the family on reunification or to develop mutually agreed-upon alternatives. Normally, however, the adolescent is returned to the home.”

The Cool Homes program, which began approximately 15 years ago, has about 25 participants throughout the county.

“Many people have been doing it for many years, but people move out of town or have life changes,” Miller said. “Basically, we’re just keeping up with the need in Ventura County.”

Interface provides training and a small financial reimbursement for Cool Home families, along with day care and transportation for clients Monday through Friday. Each family sets availability that best suits its lifestyle.

After a health screening, tuberculosis test and criminal background check are performed, Ventura County Children Services licenses the caregivers as an emergency foster home parent. An extra bedroom in the house is preferred.

“You also need to be familiar with and have empathy for the behaviors and concerns of adolescents,” Miller said.

Call 485-6114, Ext. 612, for more information.