Alternative Family Services (AFS) is a foster, adoptions and mental health agency committed to fostering nurturing family environments within communities for children in need. AFS has been creating safe, permanent connections for foster children and youth in the Bay Area since 1978. AFS services focus on building sustainable relationships for children and youths in and out of foster care through supporting families at risk; creating permanency options for all foster children; providing mental health and other support to children, youth and their families; preparing foster youth for adult independent living; and responding to needs in the community as they arise.