Background

In 2021, the state of California created the Family Urgent Response System, a program administered by the Sacramento Children's Home in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, to address a critical gap in support for current and former foster youth and their caregivers across the state. Previously known as Cal-FURS, the program rebranded to the Family Urgent Response System in April 2026 to increase awareness and drive utilization of the statewide hotline.

The Family Urgent Response System is a coordinated statewide, regional, and county-level system designed to provide collaborative and timely state-level phone-based response and county-level in-home, in-person mobile response. The program includes all 58 counties and several agency partners throughout the state.

The 24/7 hotline is staffed by Sacramento Children’s Home team members who are trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation for children and youth impacted by trauma. They provide a family-centered, developmentally appropriate approach for both youth and caregivers. 

What We Do

The Family Urgent Response System works to strengthen relationships between youth and caregivers, increase caregiver retention, reduce placement moves, and keep youth safely in their current living situations whenever possible. Program staff provide trauma-informed early intervention to help stabilize situations before they escalate. By connecting youth and families to community-based services and equipping them with tools to heal from trauma, the program promotes long-term stability and well-being.

How We Do It

The Family Urgent Response System provides 24/7/365 access to immediate phone, text or chat  support as well as in-person response. Unlike other services that may depend on geography, provider capacity, or strict eligibility criteria, the Family Urgent Response System offers a consistent and centralized point of contact statewide. 

If a youth or caregiver would like to receive in person support, the Sacramento Children’s Home connects them with a local service provider who will travel to their location. In-person support is available 24/7 in all counties throughout the state.