February 25, 2026
Family and Me (FAM) 2.0 A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco
Research has shown that youth who have experienced trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) often have histories of homelessness, contact with the juvenile justice system, and/or involvement in the foster care system. When it comes to supporting youth at risk of CSE, there is a lack of safe and supportive housing options designed to meet their unique needs. Many of these young people are placed in group care facilities — often moved out of familiar areas or out of state — and experience frequent changes in foster care placements, disrupting protective factors such as school continuity, service access, and connections to trusted adults.
Stable housing is essential for recovery and preventing revictimization, yet safe and supportive options are extremely limited. Reasons for this include a lack of available shelter and residential care beds, restrictive policies that prohibit youth from returning to foster care placements after leaving, and a lack of foster caregivers with the knowledge, training, and skills required to support youth who have experienced complex trauma. Despite the urgency, evidence on effective interventions for youth impacted by CSE is scarce. To address these gaps, HRC’s former Health and Human Rights Program partnered with the San Francisco Safety, Opportunity, and Lifelong Relationships (SF SOL) Collaborative to evaluate the Family and Me (FAM) pilot, an innovative new model of foster care for youth impacted by CSE.
Partners
Family and Me Foster Care Program
In partnership with Freedom Forward, Seneca Family of Agencies, WestCoast Children’s Clinic, and the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, the FAM pilot was designed to increase the safety, housing stability, and overall well-being of youth who are experiencing or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation. FAM provided youth in family-based foster care placements with three unique support components:
1) Alternative caregivers, selected by youth, who offer support and a safe place for overnight stays to promote a shared model of caregiving;
2) Specialized training for caregivers in CSE, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and peer support groups; and
3) Fast and flexible funding to meet a variety of youth needs and interests
Through this six-year collaboration, we partnered on a transformative, relationship-centered approach to care for a population long underserved by traditional child welfare systems. By investing in youth’s natural support networks, centering youth voice and choice, and embedding trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches, FAM offers a scalable model to promote safety, stability, and healing for youth impacted by CSE.
“I think the FAM program is a really good program, especially for people that are goin’ through more stuff and people that need family or some more support.”
—FAM 2.0 Youth Participant
Findings
Relational Permanency
Alternative caregivers offered rare, consistent, and emotionally safe relationships. Many youth described their alternative caregivers as “like family,” supporting them through crises, transitions, and early adulthood.
Placement Stability
Youth with trained, youth-selected alternative caregivers were less likely to run away, experience placement breakdowns, or be exposed to unsafe environments.
Flexible Funding
More than 175 youth requests totaling nearly $29,000 were approved to fund basic needs, transportation, enrichment, and connection with loved ones — revealing both the value of flexible dollars and gaps in existing public benefits.
Well-Being
Strengthened relationships, access to therapy, and wellness activities funded through flexible resources contributed to improved emotional regulation, resilience, and overall quality of life.
Caregiver Support
Caregivers reported reduced burnout, improved confidence, and greater capacity to meet youth needs when supported through training, financial support, respite, and shared caregiving.
Publications
November 1, 2024
Family and Me (FAM) 2.0: A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 3)
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April 12, 2024
Family and Me (FAM) 2.0: A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 2)
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September 13, 2023
Family and Me (FAM) 2.0: A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 1)
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December 26, 2022
Family and Me (FAM) A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco
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May 18, 2022
Family and Me (FAM): A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 3)
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November 16, 2021
Family and Me (FAM): A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 2)
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May 11, 2021
Family and Me (FAM): A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 1)
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February 25, 2026
Youth choice and voice: A Q&A with Michaela Anastasia Austin exploring a new model of foster care
HRC in the News — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Youth choice and voice: A Q&A with Michaela Anastasia Austin exploring a new model of foster care, interviewing Research Fellow
February 25, 2026
Berkeley, CA — The Human Rights Center (HRC) at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law has published the final evaluation of the Family and Me (FAM) 2.0 foster care model, designed to support youth impacted
April 11, 2023
Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation
Commentary — #Verified from the Human Rights Center: Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation, authored by Julie Freccero and Audrey