Revised: 03/11/2016
General Information and Resources: Salt Lake County
2016
The Adoption Exchange
Toll-Free: 1-866-872-7212
Phone Number:(801)265-0444
Website:
The Adoption Exchange website contains information and resources for pre through post adoption services for each region of Utah.
Newsletter:Adoption Connection Newsletter
The newsletter is sent each quarter to all DCFS adoptive familiesreceiving subsidy. It contains current Utah specific information regarding resources and adoption issues.
Other Programs: The Lending Library is available to all with no charge. It can be accessed at There are over 1,000 titles to choose from including books and videos.
-Utah Cares at has many human service resources throughout Utah. To contact them by telephone call 211.
Support Groups
Cluster Groups:
Murray/Midvale/East:
Contact Ruthane at (801)652-5500
South Valley West/West Jordan:
Contact Valerie at (801)608-1871
Kearns:
Contact Michelle at (801)755-4766
Sandy/Draper:
Contact Janet at (801)867-1557
Salt Lake Metro:
Contact Rachel at
Post-adopt:
Contact (801)300-8135
Spanish speaking:
Contact Ruth at (801)568-6632
*For a current list of Cluster Group facilitators and group activities contact the Utah Foster Care Foundation at (801)994-5205 or visit their website at
Specialized Groups:
Allies with Families, the Utah Chapter
Offers practical support and resources for parents
and their children, as well as youth who face
serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health
challenges.
-There is also a SIBSHOP, workshop specifically
designed for brothers and sisters of a child with a
behavioral and/or mental health challenge.
Ages for the sibling workshops are 7-13.
Phone Number: (801)433-2595 or Toll Free:(877)477-0764
Website:
BRIDGES-NAMI
NAMI Family Support Groups are free, confidential and safe. BRIDGES is designed to be education for individuals living with mental illness. It is held every Friday afternoon 3:00 – 5:30 at the NAMI Cache Valley Office.
Phone Number: (435)787-4165
Website:
Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of
Learning
Monthly meeting/support group for parents of
children with autism spectrum disorder who are
currently attending the Pingree School.
Phone Number: (801)581-0194
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
CHADD provides support and education for parents of youth who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Website:
FASD Support
There is a support group for parents and caregivers who are raising children with FASD or prenatal exposure to alcohol or other substances.
Contact: Natalie Driggs
Email:
F.I.R.S.T. - Families In Recovery Staying Together
Offered through Valley Mental Health, Families In
Recovery Staying Together is a day treatment approach for mothers and children ages 0-6. Children are assessed and treated for social behavioral problems. Mothers receive treatment for substance dependence and mental health issues. All families are assessed for bonding and attachment patterns and receive family therapy focused on reunification and family health.
Phone Number: (801)263-7225
NAMI: Family-to-Family
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness. - NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides critical information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you'll also find out that you're not alone.
Phone Number: (801)323-9900
The Family Support Center
There is a Family Mentor Program in which families with children, birth to 17 come together for a 75 minute weekly visit. They gain the tools they need to strengthen their family and, learn and practice in their homes. Parents increase satisfaction and confidence as a caretaker. Topics include communication, conflict resolution, attachment, bonding, positive reinforcement, establishing rules and routines, dealing with power struggles, age-appropriate expectations, stress, and accessing community resources to create a support system.
Contact: Rachel (Taylorsville location)
Phone Number: (801)955-9110
Midvale Location: (801)255-6881
Sugarhouse Location: (801)487-7778
West Valley Location: (801)967-4259
For Adoption Respite- $2.50/hour
Contact: Debbie DeGraw
Phone Number: (801)955-9110 ext. 106
West Valley Crisis Nursery- FREE- Children 0-11. They can stay up to 72 hours.
Contact: Family Support Center: (801)955-9110
Website:
Adults Molested as Children- Group Therapy for Women
This is an ongoing therapy group for adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. During this group you will: learn coping skills, receive support, provide support, relate and build relationships with others, gain understanding of your past, and realize that you are not alone in your recovery.
Cost: $35/Session (Sliding-scale Fee Available)
Dates: Ongoing Group
Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM
Fridays from 9:00-10:30 AM
Location: Family Support Center Administration Offices 1760 West 4805 South Taylorsville, UT 84129
Contact: Sue Dezell, LCSW for the Tuesday Group
Phone: 801-955-9110 ext. 108
Contact: Maggie Anderson, CSW for the Friday Group
Phone: 801-955-9110 ext. 196
Domestic Violence Survivors- Women’s Group
During this 16-week session, you will receive a workbook for the group. You will learn effective coping skills, receive support for your experiences, provide support to other women, gain understanding of the patterns and cycles, and you will learn that you are not alone in your treatment.
16 Group Sessions- Open Enrollment
Cost: Free
Dates: Fridays
Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
Contact: Sue Dezell, LCSW
Phone: 801-955-9110 ext. 108
The Sharing Place
The Sharing Place partners with agencies and schools across the Wasatch Front to increase awareness of the journey and the impact that death of a loved one can have on one’s life.
Phone Number: (801)466-6730
Website:
Utah’s Parent Information & Resource Center
PIRC, a part of Utah Family Partnership Network, has classes, books, videos and other resources for parents and children.
Contact: Virginia Sanchez, Director
Phone Number: (801)646-4603
Website:
Utah Foster/Adoptive Family Association
The Utah Foster/ Adoptive Family Association focuses on advocacy and support for foster and adoptive families.
Children’s Support Groups:
- The 2014-2015 Youth Services Yellow Pages online version is now available at This is a great resource for youth services.
NAMI: Progression
Progression is a course focusing on young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who are dealing with mental health issues. The name, Progression, alludes to its purpose of empowering young people with information and tools to advance towards their dreams and goals. Topics include information about mental health issues, resiliency and recovery, supports and allies, self advocacy, transition issues and much more.
Phone Number: (801)323-9900
The Real Deal
An 8 week anger management and life skills group for youth ages 13 to 17. The program engages youth in cognitive activities that teach them to recognize thinking errors that may lead to anger, as well as practicing new social skills. Conflict resolution skills, relaxation techniques and problem solving skills are taught. Class hours can count towards community service.
-Also offered is a 10 week class based on strengthening families, parenting skills and teen life skills.
Contact: Anne Schmidt
Phone Number:(385)468-4528
Website:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (ASDC)
Our clinic focuses on diagnostic assessments of autism spectrum disorders. We also provide therapy (individual and family) to help with associated psychiatric (anxiety, mood/depression, ADHD, etc) and behavior problems (aggression, disruptive behavior, self-injury, etc.). There are many groups, including social skills groups, groups to help reduce rigidity, art/music/recreational therapy, and parent training for children, adolescents, and adults.
Location:University of Utah, 650 Komas Dr. Suite 206Salt Lake City,UT84108
Phone Number:801 587 8020
Culture Groups:
- Check with your agency to see what they offer. Many of the cultural groups are now meeting with the agency that they adopted through. They feature different activities for adoptive families to get involved in.
- There is also a Facebook group for transracial families living in Utah.
- Other good places to find information about culture groups include: checking the internet for yahoo groups and blogs that feature the culture you are looking for.
Adoptive Families Circle
Offers a number of support groups for families looking for support in specific areas of the country.
Website:
(Under ‘Groups,’ you can find support groups varying from international, domestic and foster care adoptions.)
African Drumming and Music
Students learn basic djembe playing techniques, traditional polyrhythms, songs, and culture from West Africa in a weekly 55 minute class. Drums are provided for each class. $35 per month.
Website:
Contact:
Google Voice: (323)536-2311 (Call or text)
Domino Foundation
The Domino Foundation supports transracial families.
Website:
Email:
Respite Care
Helpful Hints:
- Informal supports such as relatives, friends, or church members are used for respite care by most parents in Carbon and Emery Counties.
- Common activities such as scouts, sports, and church activities can provide regular breaks for parents while their children are involved in the programs. They have activities like: soccer, little jazz basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, in which many parents are given breaks while other parents participate with the children.
- Cluster Group members have exchanged respite care for each other. Cluster group members are familiar to the family. The care is provided by a cluster member who may have experience with children with similar behaviors. (Adoptive parents would have to get a Respite Care license if they wanted to be available for respite care exchange with foster parents.)
1-4 Hour Scheduled Respite:
Hopeful Beginnings
The goal of Hopeful Beginning’s respite program is to prevent child abuse and neglect, which may come from burn out of parenting children with mental health and behavioral issues. A trained Respite Provider comes to the home of the family or takes a group of children into the community, providing age appropriate, safe and structured activities to encourage esteem, prosocial skill practice, and hobby development. Respite is delivered weekly under the direction of the treatment team and the individual's treatment plan.
*You must be utilizing their services in order to qualify for this program.
Phone Number: (801)979-1351 Option 1
Website:
Family Support Center
The Family Support Center was designed for parents who have adopted at least one child through DCFS or anther state agency. Hourly respite is provided in the adoptive family’s home for all the children in the family. The Respite Provider is trained in adoption and the special needs that often accompany it, how these needs affect the other children, and they take time to build relationships with children. The Respite Providers engage in healthy growth promoting activities that are beneficial to the child.
*Cost: $2.50/hour
Taylorsville Location: 801-955-9110
Sugarhouse Location: 801-487-7778
West Valley Location: 801-967-4259
Midvale Location: 801-255-6883
Touchstone Therapy Center
Touchstone has a nanny program on a need basis. A skilled nanny will either go into the home or take the children out of the home for a few hours to a couple of days. Any agechild and siblings can be included in this service. Advanced notice is required.
*Cost: $12-$25/hour depending on the number of children to be supervised.
Contact: Ray DePrizio
Phone Number:(801)485-8051
Turn Community Services
Turn Community Services is a program that provides respite care for families who have a child with a disability, including emotional disabilities. There is typically a waiting list. (They also have summer & weekend respite programs available.)
*Cost: $10-$15/hour
Phone Number:(801)486-3778
The Child Care Resource and Referral
The metro program has a computerized database of all the licensed child care providers in the Salt Lake County region. There are child care providers for after school, on a drop-in basis, and for summer programs. Some of these programs accommodate children up to ages 12 or 13. A parent can arrange daily, after school, or summer programs or can arrange 1-4 days a week. Some providers have structured programs with low adult to child ratios and many have special training to help with difficult to manage children. *Costs vary.
Phone Number:(801)355-7444
Website:
The Family Support Center in Midvale and West Valley
Crisis respite is offered at their facility for infants to 11 years old. Respite care is available based on space at the time of the request.
Midvale Phone Number:(801)255-6881
West Valley Phone Number:(801)967-4259
-The West Valley Family Support Center operates for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring program for children who qualify for the program and are able to commit for at least a year.
Phone Number: (801)313-0303
Website:
The Village Project- Juvenile Court
A mentoring program is provided by Juvenile Court called The Village Project for youth involved in the courts. The mentors are volunteers from the community that are willing to work with troubled youth.
Contact: Alicia Lucero
Phone Number: (801)957-7889 and 801-514-1241
Website:
Court appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
CASA provides mentors for children who are involved with a Guardian ad Litem. CASA mentors are trained community volunteers who are court appointed to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Contact:Gwen Knight (CASA Coordinator)
Phone Number: (801)574-1472
Email:
Website:
Day Breaks:
Family Support Center in Taylorsville
The Family Support Center in Taylorsville provides hourly respite care in the adoptive family’s home for all the children in the family. The caregivers are mature and work with children with special needs as well. They have received some training specific to adoption issues.
*Cost:$2.50/hour
Phone Number: (801)955-9110
Family Support Center
The Family Support Centers in both West Valley and Taylorsville, will schedule respite care at their facility for children who are 0-11 years old. Care is available based on space at the time of the request. A parent can schedule from 1-72 hours. Weekends are often unavailable for scheduled respite care as the nursery is full with children who have crisis situations.
West Valley Center Number: (801)967-4259
Taylorsville Center Number: (801)955-9110
DDI Vantage Early Head Start
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program designed to meet the educational, emotional, social, and health needs of children and families. This program serves those within Granite and Murray school districts, Tooele city and Grantsville. Age range for children has to be between 0-4 years. Parents can have a break while the child is at school.
-Programs also include: Home-based, center-based, socialization activities, Parent Committee and Building Up Fathers & Families.
Taylorsville Phone Number: (801)996-0497
Murray Phone Number: (801)268-0056
Tooele Phone Number: (435)882-3439
Website:
Head Start
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program designed to meet the educational, emotional, social, and health needs of children and families.Head Start provides a developmentally appropriate education to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to be prepared for kindergarten. Salt Lake County has multiple sites. Age range for children has to be between 0-4 years. Parents can have a break while the child is at school.
Website:
Touchstone Therapy Center
Touchstone has a nanny program on a need basis. A skilled nanny will either go into the home or take the children out of the home for a few hours to a couple of days. Any age child and siblings can be included in this service. Advanced notice is required.
*Cost: $12-$25/hour depending on the number of children to be supervised.
Contact: Ray DePrizio
Phone Number:(801)485-8051
Turn Community Services
Turn Community Services is a program that provides respite care for families who have a child with a disability, including emotional disabilities. There is typically a waiting list. (They also have summer & weekend respite programs available.)
*Cost: $10-$15/hour
Phone Number: (801)486-3778
The Child Care Resource and Referral
The metro program has a computerized database of all the licensed child care providers in the Salt Lake County region. There are child care providers for after school, on a drop-in basis, and for summer programs. Some of these programs accommodate children up to ages 13 or 15. A parent can arrange daily, after school, or summer programs or can arrange 1-4 days a week. Some providers have structured programs with low adult to child ratios and many have special training to help with difficult to manage children. Costs vary.
Phone Number:(801)355-7444
Website:
Valley Behavioral Health
VMH has weekly respite for a limited number of clients’ parents whose children are in therapy with a Valley Mental Health therapist and have a referral. ARTEC Day treatment and the Valley Mental Health Respite program accepts referrals of Medicaid clients
Phone Number: 1-888-949-4864
Overnight Breaks & Weekend Breaks:
Touchstone Therapy Center
Touchstone has a nanny program on a need basis. A skilled nanny will either go into the home or take the children out of the home for a few hours to a couple of days. Any age child and siblings can be included in this service. Advanced notice is required.
*Cost: $12-$25/hour depending on the number of children to be supervised.
Contact: Ray DePrizio
Phone Number: (801)485-8051
United Cerebral Palsy Foundation for Independence
United Cerebral Palsy Foundation for Independence offers a Respite program for families with children with disabilities. The program offers a weekend in-home respite care for a child who has disabilities and for his or her siblings while the parents are provided with hotel accommodations for a weekend away.
Contact: Jessica Reese, Family Services Director