The primary purpose of Legacy Families is to provide the highest quality foster care services available. We at Legacy Families devote ourselves to serving and supporting foster families and children, guided by the motto of Legacy Families: "For every child, a family."

Legacy Families operates a state-licensed foster family agency to provide long-term care or short-term respite care for children who are clients of the Regional Center or who are dependents of the Court. Some of the children we serve are victims of abuse or neglect. Some children may be handicapped and developmentally disabled, including children who have epilepsy, autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and who also may have special health care needs. Other children in placement may be identified as severely emotionally disturbed, having poor impulse control, runaway behaviors, moderately assaultive behaviors, conduct disorders, sexual acting out, self-destructive behaviors, adjustment disorders, and physical problems.

Legacy Families' foster families provide the optimum environment in which a child can develop his or her physical, intellectual, social and emotional capabilities to the fullest. It is the intent of our program to provide the child with an environment that is conducive to personal dignity, enabling the child to acquire self-reliance and independence in activities of daily living at home and in the community, using generic and community-based resources wherever and whenever possible.

We also seek to support the parents of these children. We do not intend to replace them. We hope to support the parents by being a member of their team and in reaching their goals for their children.

The core values of Legacy Families are:

People – We are committed to the dignity of each individual and in our obligation to reach out to those in need. Legacy Families believes that lasting, positive changes in people occur through healthy, respectful, and committed relationships.

Principles – We are committed to the universal principles of truth, love, interdependence, and divine obligation and authority.

Integrity – We are committed to integrity through responsible actions and accountability in lifestyle, management, and leadership in the accomplishment of our mission.

Excellence – We are committed to excellence that demonstrates the highest quality in all aspects of our mission.

I will be pleased to provide any further information at your request. Just call me at 805/949-7878, or e-mail me at legacy@qnet.com.

Sincerely, Gene Gray, MA, M.F.C.C.
Executive Director