Frequently Asked Questions

I am having trouble with my teen. Can I place them in your program?

Right now we only accept State or County referred teens and children. This means that the kids who come to us have been associated with a court system either because of their own behavior or are sent by default of their parents. Parents cannot directly put their teens into our program.

If you can’t help, who can?

For assistance with your teen, please call Youth Services at 831.429.8350. Youth Services offers family, individual and group therapy. The Counselors at Youth Services can help you and your teen assess if other agencies such as Child Protective Services or Foster Care are recommended. Youth Services also offers financial assistance for counseling.

Where can I find housing for someone under 18?

Contact the Homeless Services Center at 831.458.6020 for assistance.
They are located at 115 Coral Street, Santa Cruz, CA. 95060.

So, what does your program do?

We offer housing, food, education, transportation, psychological services and access to medical/dental care and job training in our residential program and placement with foster families in our foster care division.

Your program sounds great, how can I help?

Caring individuals and organizations support our agency through the donation of funds, time and services. If you would like to volunteer, please call us at 831.724.3077 ext. 201 or, if you would like please donate here.

What is the background of your residents?

Residents in our care are often referred to as “at-risk teens” because they have been or are at-risk of getting into some kind of serious trouble. Many adolescents that enter our program have been abused, neglected or molested and come from incarcerated or drug addicted parents. Our program goals are to stabilize their behavior, infuse a sense of self-esteem and prepare them for happy, productive lives.

What kinds of issues are the residents dealing with (why are they there)?

The teens we work with need close supervision and guidance. At some point, the teenager has acted-out in an inappropriate way, usually as a result of dysfunctional or neglectful parenting. They learn healthier ways to deal with their issues in the group home environment.

How long are they in the group home? And where do they go from there?

On average, our youth stay from 8-12 months. If needed, clients are encouraged and allowed to stay longer than 12 months. The young adults in our programs move on to varying situations depending on their progress. If they complete their program goals they may return to live with their family or perhaps be placed with a foster family. In other cases they may qualify for transitional housing as a bridge to independent living.

Does this work?

Over the years we have stayed in touch with many of our past clients and they’ve shared their accomplishments and success stories with us. Many clients have gone on to start their own families; complete their high school and college educations; pursue careers and give back to the community. Yes, it works!

How are you funded?

Above the Line is funded by contracts with placing counties, foundation, public and private grants and through donations from community members. The generosity of the community enables Above the Line to offer enrichments, mental health services and recreational activities beyond the scope of what is covered by county placement fees.