Over the last 157 years, the Sacramento Children’s Home (SCH) has acted as a cornerstone of support for vulnerable families in the region. With unwavering dedication, SCH has continued to expand its reach and services in South Sacramento, where many communities of color face significant hurdles in accessing vital resources.
In the vibrant neighborhoods of Meadowview and Valley Hi, SCH operates two family resource centers that serve as support for at-risk children and families. These centers offer a wealth of services, including evidence-based classes, crisis intervention and domestic violence education, all while embracing a “no wrong door” policy to ensure that every family in need receives the help they deserve.
Communities in South Sacramento, especially BIPOC communities, have historically faced barriers when seeking preventative resources, often rooted in a deep-seated distrust of Child Protective Services (CPS) and fears of family separation. Recognizing this difficult history, SCH has lovingly crafted its approach to be culturally responsive and build genuine trust within these communities.
Two groundbreaking programs, The Village and the Cultural Broker Program, have been thoughtfully designed to address these concerns. The Village, a home visitation program, reaches out with open arms to families in areas that have experienced higher rates of child abuse, child homicide and sleep-related infant deaths. Its mission is to break down cultural barriers and find innovative, heartfelt ways to connect, especially with African American communities, in a culturally responsive manner.
The Cultural Broker Program works tirelessly to improve outcomes for African American families involved in the child welfare system. Its overarching goal is to reduce the disproportionate rates at which African American families enter the CPS system and strengthen the bonds of communication between families and child welfare services.
“There’s sometimes a barrier between families and the CPS system because of the fear that comes along with it,” says Todd Koolakian, director of philanthropy. “Our goal at SCH is to act as the advocate that works in between the two entities in order to help heal families and improve outcomes for these families who are disproportionately impacted by the CPS system.”
SCH’s efforts in South Sacramento have borne beautiful fruit. The family resource centers have helped prevent families from re-entering the CPS system, dramatically lowering child abuse and neglect referrals by an astounding 95%. Moreover, 98% of families were free of substantiated allegations of child abuse or neglect upon completion of home visitation services — a testament to the power of compassion and cultural understanding.
Looking towards a brighter future, SCH is planning further investment in the area, including the purchase of a larger facility to expand its range of services. This commitment underscores SCH’s unwavering dedication to evolving and expanding its support for South Sacramento’s most vulnerable families, working tirelessly to break cycles of abuse and neglect while honoring cultural sensitivities and building lasting community trust.
