Adoption Support Services Our goal is to help create a community of adoptive families bringing hope and the tools necessary to provide safe, sensitive and lasting homes for children and teens

Our adoption services are designed to enhance, support and build a deep and lasting sense of attachment within the adoptive family.

Our Adoption Support Services Program began in 1998 with the goal of creating a community of adoptive families bringing hope and the tools necessary to provide safe, sensitive and lasting homes for children and teens who have come to the adoption journey.

We welcome all families from every region of San Diego County who are in the process of adopting or who have already adopted infants, children and teens. Our services include support groups, movie nights, attachment and adoption focused therapy, parent coaching, family advocacy, and much more! Our hope is that families will join us and find an encouraging and resourceful home in the community of adoptive families. 

A Story of Success

An adoptive father came to us frustrated about the state of his relationship with his son Sean*. He felt guilty about not being the parent he aspired to be. On top of these struggles, he was also experiencing secondary trauma in response to his child’s traumatic history.
Our adoptions team was able to guide Sean's father through processing these complex emotions so that he could be there for his son. Soon, he was seeing a shift in their relationship as he and Sean began making eye contact again, laughing together and navigating conflict in ways that led to resolution and repair. While their relationship remains a work in progress, Sean's father expressed a renewed sense of hope and confidence in the bond he is building with his child.
More Youth Success Stories

A Family Attachment Building Approach

Our focus has always been on “attachment” and meeting the special needs of adoptive families throughout the San Diego County region. Services offered are designed to address the core issues of adoption and to provide parents with the insight, education and practical tools necessary to heal and support their children and teens as they grow and take root in their adoptive families.

Our adoption support services helped 1283 youth & families last year.
Services
Program Eligibility
Program Funding

"Many of the other parents in our program have had similar experiences of improved and enhanced relationships with their children through NHA (Nurtured Heart Approach). It has been an honor to partner with them and help them to discover and unleash a parenting side of them they didn't know existed!"

San Diego Youth Services staff

Contact Us

Español: Michelle Gonzalez
(619) 346-1487

English: Lori Hannigan
Adoption Support Services
(619) 629-2870

General Information (English or Español): Cynthia Moreno
Program Manager
cmoreno@sdyouthservices.org or (619) 629-2876

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