Family Service Agency of San Francisco
Encyclopedia
Katharine Felton
Katharine Conway "Kitty" Felton is a name that became synonymous with social work for her innovative reforms over the 40 years of her tenure as head of Associated Charities in San Francisco beginning at the turn of the 19th century....
(1873-1940). FSASF is the oldest nonsectarian, nonprofit charitable social-services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. It relies on contributions from government, private donors, and private clients.
FSA focuses on strengthening families by providing caring, effective, and innovative social services, with special emphasis on the needs of low-income families
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
, children, and the elderly, and disabled people, thus improving the quality of life for all San Franciscans.
The Agency has four divisions: Children, Youth, and Families Division, Adult Services Division, Senior Services Division, Family Developmental Center, and The Felton Institute. The programs address some of San Francisco’s most critical issues: homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. FSA’s programs have been recognized as national models and have received the highest possible ratings from San Francisco’s Department of Public Health.