The Family Care Network was born in 1987. At this time, California’s foster care system was facing a lot of challenges.
According to the first California Report Card of 1989, between 1983 and 1988, children in foster care increased by 120%–going from 10,000 across the state to 22,000.With this influx of children needing safe out-of-home care, the system was in desperate need of redevelopment. At this same time, Jim Roberts, following an insatiable drive within himself to improve the way California took care of its children and youth, had embarked on a journey to the Central Coast with the goal of establishing a new family-based foster care agency; one of collaboration and innovation which would pioneer a new system of care that put children and their needs at the forefront of service delivery.
In partnership with San Luis Obispo County’s local government agencies, the foundation of FCNI was built on community collaboration, bringing foster families, biological families, children and youth, community members, local businesses, county partners, state agencies and foundations into the development of care.
Our first year, 1987/88, was full of planning, preparation and wondrous provision.