How It All Began
Since 1976, Walden Family Services has championed the vision that every child who enters foster care deserves the opportunity to realize their full human potential.
1976
Founded to provide quality care for children placed in residential group homes
1983
Pioneered one of California’s first “Treatment Foster Care” programs to offer children and teenagers an alternative to group home placements
1994
Expanded foster care program to serve children with developmental disabilities
2001
Created the Independent Futures program to serve and support foster youth before and after exiting care
Established a program to support pregnant and parenting teens
Pioneered a campaign program to advocate for and safely place LGBTQ foster youth in the community; began actively recruiting foster parents from the LGBTQ community
2002
Launched a program to serve dependent children with special health care needs in Riverside County
2006
Expanded services to children with special health care needs to Los Angeles
2007
Expanded services to children with special health care needs to San Diego
2008
Licensed as a full service adoption agency
2009
Contracted to provide Independent Living After Care services to emancipated youth in San Bernardino County
2012
Launched program to serve young people remaining in foster care until age 21, under the California Fostering Connections to Success Act
2013
Contracted with San Bernardino County to run visitation centers that provide a place where birth families participate in court-ordered supervised visits while their children who are in foster care
Launched Nurturing Parents and CalLearn programs to support pregnant and parenting teens
Licensed to provide a combined transitional housing/foster care program to support young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood
2014
Foster Family and Adoptions (FFA) programs accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services
2015
Named a Live Well San Diego partner by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Recognized by Human Rights Campaign “All Children-All Families” initiative for our commitment to provide welcoming, culturally competent services for LGBT kids and families
Days since founding