Family Support Services

We foster a safe, healthy, and thriving community by linking children, youth, and families with programs and services to address their unique needs.

Atascadero
Templeton
Creston
Carrizo Plains
Santa Margarita

Cayucos,
Cambria,
San Simeon

 

Morro Bay
Baywood
Los Osos

 

Paso Robles
San Miguel
Shandon

 

Arroyo Grande
Oceano, Nipomo
Grover Beach
Pismo Beach

Link Family Advocates provide services to families that include:

  • Support accessing food, housing, clothing, health care, and parent education
  • Assistance navigating the social services system for mental health services, disability benefits, drug and alcohol recovery, adoption and guardianship support and family reunification
  • Advocacy for students and their families by coordinating with teachers, school counselors, and principals to support academic success
  • Linkages to community partners for domestic violence services, homeless services, transportation, employment resources and much more.
  • Coordination of S.A.F.E. Team Meetings to support children and families when they’re most vulnerable. These meetings are a collaboration with the family, school staff, agency partners, a family advocate and community organizations to help families overcome barriers and access services, learn more here.

Download The Link Brochure in English and Spanish here.

 

North County Family Advocates

 

Bessy Hoffman

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 712-5038
Primary Service Areas: Serving families with children ages 0-5 in Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Templeton, and Creston. Family Advocate for Atascadero HS and Paloma Creek (HS Continuation). Family Advocate for Santa Rosa, San Gabriel, Creston, San Benito, Santa Margarita, Carrisa Plains and Monterey Road Elementary Schools

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Bessy Hoffman has worked in the education industry for over twenty-seven years. Starting in Los Angeles and later moving to Atascadero, she has specialized in bilingual and special education in both school districts. Bessy has received the Golden Oak award, which is the PTA’s highest honor for excellence in working with and providing for the welfare of children in our local community.

Bessy’s constant drive for the welfare and success of all the families that she works with also led to her being named Santa Rosa Academic Academy’s Employee of the Year in 2013. With her exceptional experience in community resources and social services, Bessy constantly strives to provide a secure future for all local and bilingual families. Bessy is also a Parent Educator and Coach and supports parents and caregivers across the Central Coast.

Magdalena Rodriquez-Madrigal

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 503-9724
Primary Service Areas: Templeton and Lewis Middle Schools

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Magdalena was born and raised in the Central Valley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Monterey Bay. During her time as an undergraduate student, Magdalena spent a total of 1.5 years in Spain studying psychology, law, & occupational therapy. She also spent time volunteering as a tutor in Elementary and Middle Schools. Previously she worked as a Family Service Advocate with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo and as a behavioral technician with Center for Autism and Related Disorders. She is passionate about helping those in need and is excited to be serving the SLO county community. Magdalena currently serves as a family advocate for Templeton and Lewis Middle Schools.

Marilu Gomez

Bilingual Paso Robles JUSD Family Advocate Partner

Contact: (805) 769-1200 ext. 23261
Primary Service Area:  Georgia Brown Elementary School, Paso Robles

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Marilu joined The Link in 2021 as part of the First 5 Partnership for Resilient Families project. She serves families with children ages 0 – 5 in Northern San Luis Obispo County.

Mayra Velazquez

Bilingual First 5 Early Childhood Advocate

Contact: (805) 712-6487
Primary Service Area:  Paso Robles, San Miguel, Shandon

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Mayra is a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz. She worked with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo as a Family Service Advocate and as a Home Base educator. Mayra is passionate about serving the community and is a wonderful addition to The Link team.

Sonia Greene

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 674-3827  
Primary Service Areas: Atascadero Middle School

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Sonia Greene has been at The Link Family Resource Center for over ten years and has had extensive experience working with sexual abuse and domestic violence victims. She is a certified First Aid mental health professional and utilizes her passion to help people in her duties as a family advocate. Sonia is fluent in both Spanish and English and has previously worked for the Atascadero Unified School District as a classroom translator. 

Carmen Del Real

Bilingual The Link Paso Robles Family Advocate Coordinator/North County S.A.F.E Coordinator

Contact: Cell phone (805) 503-9638
Primary Service Areas: Paso Robles, Shandon

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Carmen brings her passion for community services to families at Shandon and Lewis Middle Schools. She joined The Link in 2021 with a desire to provide support to the most vulnerable in our community. Carmen has worked in the Health Care sector as a social service director and brings a wealth of experience to The Link team. With the tools and support she provides, families will increase their opportunity for success and well being.

Carmen’s role with The Link has expanded to provide organizational leadership at the Paso Robles Family Resource Center site. She provides invaluable support to the staff and serves as a liaison with Link adminstrative staff. 

In summer 2022 Carmen began coordinating the North County S.A.F.E. intensive team meetings to help families in the community to overcome
barriers to accessing services.

Arlen Merced

North County S.A.F.E Specialist and Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 538-8408
Primary Service Areas: Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Schools

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Arlen was born in Mexico City, Mexico. Her family moved to California when she was seven years old and she grew up in Paso Robles. Arlen enjoys learning, exploring, and staying active. During high school she played tennis and was involved in the community by volunteering in events and non-profit organizations. Arlen developed a passion for events production and decided to pursue her degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at San Jose State University. Now, she is proud to serve the SLO County community by providing resources and being a guide to those in need.

Ana Vidaurri

Bilingual PEI Family Advocate

Contact: (805) 503-9409
Primary Service Area: Lillian Larsen and Flamson Middle Schools

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Ana serves as a family advocate in the North County for Lillian Larsen and Flamson Middle School. Ana trained in Mental Health Interpretation with the Promotores Collaborative, and she has a certification in Mental Health First Aid. Ana is passionate about working with families and providing services to the community. Ana also has experience working with special needs children, youth, and young adults.

Coastal & SLO Family Advocates

 

Oscar Perdomo

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 952-5403
Primary Service Areas: Coastal / SLO

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Oscar Perdomo has recently graduated from California State University Monterey Bay with a degree in psychology. He also has experience working at Laguna and Los Osos Middle Schools as a Social Emotional Behavioral Aide (SEB). Oscar will be working with The Link Family Resource Center as a Bilingual Family Advocate helping connect families with programs and services at our schools on the coast. Oscar was born in San Luis Obispo and is passionate about facilitating community well being in any way possible.

Vanessa Gonzalez

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 235-6610
Primary Service Areas: San Luis Coastal Unified School District at the following schools: SLO High School, Morro Bay High School, Baywood Elementary, Monarch Elementary, Del Mar Elementary Schools

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Vanessa was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She arrived in San Luis Obispo in 2013 for an opportunity to work in the non-profit sector. She has been involved in the community for about 9 years. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, and exploring new places.

Danilda Reyes

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 674-9505
Primary Service Areas: Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon

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Danilda Reyes serves as a Family Advocate for The Coast Unified School District in Cambria. She has experience working with children and youth in behavioral programs and in one on one classroom settings. She was a Teacher at The Dominican Republic with experience in Kindergarten students, Elementary and Middle School Students. Danilda is bilingual in English and Spanish.

South County Family Advocates

 

Brenda Gonzalez

Bilingual Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 503-9983
Primary Service Areas: San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach

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Brenda joined The Link in 2021. Previously she worked for People’s Self-Help Housing as a Property Manager in the 5 Cities area and as a preschool teacher assistant for Community Action Partnership SLO County in 2016. Her passion for helping people get connected with community resources and navigate the school system inspired her career pivot. Brenda is bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish. She also currently serves as a parent leader English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) President in Grover Beach.

Yuliana Molina

Bilingual PEI Family Advocate

Contact: Cell phone (805) 859-4982
Primary Service Areas: Mesa & Judkins Middles Schools

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Yuliana Molina joined the Link Family Resource Center team in September 2023. She brings with her experience as an advocate with Lumina Alliance. Immigrating from Mexico to California with her family when she was 4 years old, she saw her Spanish speaking parents struggle to get the appropriate assistance. As she got older, she continued to see this not only with her family but many other families as well. This has been a driving factor that motivates her to help families in the community.

Family Services Support Team

 

Carrie Collins

Family Advocate Services Director

Contact:  (805) 794-0217 

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Carrie Collins serves as the Family Advocate Services Director for the Link Family Resource Center. For the past 8 years, Carrie was a Training and Consulting Specialist with Strategies 2.0 at Children’s Bureau. She provided training and consultation throughout the state to assist organizations and individuals in their work with family strengthening and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Carrie received her Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Her background includes over 20 years in the Head Start and Migrant Head Start program in Parent Involvement and Leadership, and Staff Career Development and Training. She served two years in AmeriCorps providing pesticide safety training to farm workers throughout the state of Utah. Carrie and her husband share the joy of being parents to 4 grown children, and grandparents to 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters!

Referral Forms

 

Link Staff Chart

Visit this chart to find the family advocate who serves your school/region of SLO County

Family Advocate Referral Form

Please fax or email Family Advocate referrals to: (805) 462-8901 or Carrie@linkslo.org

SAFE Referral Form

Please note that for SAFE referrals, the client must initial for each agency authorized to exchange information (page 3) and sign and date the last page (page 4).
Please fax or email all SAFE referrals to:
Carmen Del Real, North County S.A.F.E. Team Coordinator
(805) 503-9638 or cdereal@linkslo.org

Form 815 (English)

County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Agency Referral and Client Release of Information

Form 815 (Spanish)

County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Agency Referral and Client Release of Information

Community Bulletin

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I refer a family to The Link?

Please download and complete The Link Advocate Referral Form

Submit the completed form to Family Advocate Services Director Carrie Collins at Carrie@linkslo.org or fax to (805) 462-8901

    Where is The Link Family Resource Center located?

    Please visit us at one of our two North County Family Resource Centers.

    Atascadero Family Resource Center
    4507 Del Rio Ave. Building #1 Atascadero, CA 93422
    Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm (805) 794-0217

    Paso Robles Family Resource Center
    1802 Chestnut Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 794-0217

    What is The Link Family Resource Center mission?

    Our Mission
    We foster a safe, healthy, and thriving community by linking children, youth, and families with programs and services to address their unique needs.
    Our Vision
    We envision a thriving community where children, youth, and families have the power and resources to live healthy, safe, and productive lives.
    Our Values
    The Link values strengths-based, empowerment-focused, community-driven collaboration, developed through mutual respect, compassion, and integrity.

    Is The Link a nonprofit organization?

    The Link received 501(c)(3) status in the spring of 2004. Since then, the organization has expanded from a small project of the Atascadero Youth Task Force into a thriving system of Family Resource Centers, family advocates, and community resource specialists upon which the community has come to deeply rely.

    The Link was created in 1998 as a project of the Atascadero Youth Task Force; developed in order to identify available services, assist youth and families to connect with needed services, and to create services to support families. Since then, The Link has expanded from its original office location in Atascadero to two Family Resource Centers with service outreach spanning across the North SLO County towns of Atascadero, Cambria, Shandon, San Miguel, Creston, Cayucos, Santa Margarita, San Simeon, Paso Robles, Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Templeton, encompassing a community of approximately 103,000 residents. We additionally serve the South San Luis Obispo towns of Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande. Today, we are a community leader in child welfare and education services and aim to keep families united while engaging in child abuse prevention.

    Contact

     

    Please fill out the form below. We look forward to connecting with you!

    How did you hear about us?

    What best describes you?

    The family needs include (please check all that apply):

    What can we help with?

    What can we help with?

    Preferred contact method

    Location: Del Rio Continuation High School
    Address: 4507 Del Rio Ave Bldg. #1, Atascadero, CA 93422
    Hours: Open: 9:00AM to 5:00PM M-F
    Office Phone: (805) 466-5404
    Bilingual Family Advocate Services Director: (805) 794-0217

     

    Atascadero Family Resource Center The LINK

    Newsletter

    Join our community and receive Link program updates, event announcements and education about family well being initiatives.

     

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    North County S.A.F.E.

     

    Services Affirming Family Empowerment – S.A.F.E. team intensive meetings

    What is a SAFE team intensive meeting:
    A SAFE intensive team meeting is a strength-based, multi-agency, school-linked support collaboration team that works with families in the community to overcome barriers to accessing services. The family participates in the meeting and the meeting goals are guided by the families’ needs and priorities.

    How is a family referred for a SAFE team meeting:
    If a family has a child aged 0 – 18 and working with multiple agencies and there is a need for service coordination, or the family is experiencing significant and immediate challenges.
    Families can be referred by community agencies, school, and a family advocate.

    Who we serve:
    North County SAFE team provides support to all families, including adoptive, resource families, kin care providers, transitional age youth, special needs youth, and the zero to five population. Family served by the North County SAFE team reside in communities from Santa Margarita to Paso Robles, and in San Miguel, Shandon and the Carissa Plains.

    SAFE services for other areas of SLO County are available. See below for contact information.

    Who is on the SAFE team:
    The meetings are coordinated by The Link Family Resource Center. Participating team members may include Department of Social Services, Child Welfare Services, County Mental Health, Transitions Mental Health, Public Health, CAPSLO, Youth Probation and school administration. Other agencies as needed include Creative Mediation at Wilshire, Link Education Champion, Grizzly Youth Academy, Seneca, and Lumina Alliance. The participating parent/caregiver may request additional professionals or supportive family members for extra support.

    What happens at a SAFE team meeting:
    The SAFE team collaboratively works with the strengths of the families with a solution focused approach to build a plan that focuses on the families strengths, concerns, supports and together build a plan to ensure health and safety of the family and children. The plan is put together and printed out for the family.

    What are the goals of a SAFE team meeting:
    The goal of a SAFE team meeting is to keep youth safe, healthy, at home, in school and out of trouble.

    When are SAFE team meetings held:
    Meetings are held on Tuesday for Paso Robles, San Miguel, Shandon, and Wednesday for Atascadero and Templeton.

    To make a referral for a SAFE Team Meeting in North County please contact:
    Carmen Del Real North County SAFE Team Meeting Coordinator (805) 503-9638
    SAFE Team Meeting Referral Form. Click Here for Referral Forms

    To make a referral for a SAFE Team Meeting in South County, SLO or the Coast please contact the Family Resource Center that serves your school and/or region of San Luis Obispo County.

    • Coastal Family Resource Center Sunnyside Elementary School: 880 Manzanita Drive, Los Osos, CA 93402 (805) 235-6610
    • San Luis Obispo Family Resource Center: 1500 Lizzie St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 458-5499.

    Administrative Staff

     

    Lisa Fraser

    Executive Director

    Contact: Office (805) 466-5404

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    Since 2001, Lisa Fraser has distinguished herself through her vision to create and grow nine major programs, each designed to strengthen families and stop the cycle of child abuse. She serves as Board President of Alpha Pregnancy and Parenting Support and is a preeminent leader in SLO County’s human service field. Lisa played an integral role in the establishment of Martha’s Place, an assessment center for at-risk children.

    While her legacy has had a tremendous impact on our SLO County community, Lisa’s talents and her commitment to families are recognized on a regional and state level. She provided coordination for the Coastal Tri-Counties Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, established the Regional Child Death Review Team for Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties and served on the California State Child Death Review Council. Lisa also participated in developing the California Family Support Standards, part of an ongoing initiative to define and promote quality in the field of family strengthening.

    Lisa earned a B.S. Degree and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential at Cal Poly. She has also earned professional certifications including California Standards for Family Strengthening and Support certification, California Mandated Reporter of Suspected Child Abuse certification, non-Profit Development Officer Program certification, and a certificate in Facilitative Leadership-Interaction Institute for Social Change.

    Lisa loves the “community spirit” of the Central Coast where she and Larry, her husband of 31 years, have raised two children, Brooke, and Dylan. She is an avid tennis player and active in social organizations and the arts.

    Heather Leger

    Program Data Specialist

    Contact: Office (805) 466-5404

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    Heather Leger is the Program Data Specialist for the Link Family Resource Center. She graduated from Cal Poly with a B.S. in Business Management, and has experience working in higher education administration.

    Karolyn Kinsey

    Chief Financial Officer

    Contact: Office (805) 466-5404

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    Board of Directors

    Our Directors support The Link’s program excellence and fiscal integrity.

    Current Board List:

    President: Kathy Hannemann, Retired School Administrator, AUSD

    Secretary: Bob Pittenger, Community Member

    Jessica Lloyd, Principal, Atascadero Middle School, AUSD

    For more information please call 805-466-5404.