Creative Alternatives

Programs: Creative alternatives operates fifteen residential care homes (rcl level 11) in stanislaus and merced counties. The group home environment is designed to prepare emotionally fragile youth for the transition from group living to reunifications with their natural family, foster care, or in some cases, emancipation. Youth are taught independent living skills ranging from basic daily functioning tasks to money management and job training. Youth are empowered, on an individualized basis, by learning appropriate communication and socialization skills, problem solving techniques and goal setting. Recreational therapy fosters self-esteem and teaches effective coping strategies which offer the children alternatives to self-destructive behavior.

creative alternatives foster family agency's mission is to provide a healthy, safe and nurturing environment for emotionally disturbed, neglected and abused children. Our view is that once a child's chaotic beginning has been stabilized, positive changes and healthy development can occur. When children are placed with our agency for the purpose of reunification, adoption or emancipation, we gear treatment plans toward the specific needs of the child. Our goal is to place all children in our care into home environments that encourage and allow them to develop healthy, positive social attachments.

reyn franca school (stanislaus county), reyn franca annex (stanislaus county), grace bishop school (merced county) and creative alternatives school (fresno county) are nonpublic schools designed to meet the special and unique needs of every student. The majority of the students we serve have a variety of emotional, social, and behavioral problems. We serve grades k-12 with the majority of placements in grades 3-12. Emphasis is placed on improving social skills by requiring students to be held accountable for their actions. A system of rewards and consequences is used to assist in improving their social skills. Academic subjects are given equal attention.

creative alternatives operates a transitional housing placement plus foster care (thp+fc) program. The thp + fc program is an option for non minor dependents and provides services such as housing and financial assistance. This option is available to adults ranging from 18-21 years old and must meet the educational or employments eligibility criteria to receive these benefits.