The mission of the nonprofit Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (CFS) is “To ensure the safety and well-being of children, youth, adults, and families in times of crisis, challenge, and life transition.”  

In 1937, Dr. Mark Osterlin brought the Children's Aid Society to Traverse City to address the needs of his struggling young patients. Since then, CFS has consistently focused on children’s good health and well-being, specializing in mental health supports for young clients. CFS started out by providing foster care and adoption services to northwestern Michigan.  Over the years, the organization has grown to respond to the community’s changing needs, adding evidence-based programs such as multi-disciplinary trauma assessment, counseling, supervised visitation and exchange, intensive family preservation, free legal aid, suicide prevention, community education and more to its roster of programs. 

As it seeks to alleviate loneliness, anxiety, depression and suicide in its young clients, CFS also provides 24/7 youth crisis counseling, youth shelter and youth services, and outreach to 20+ counties throughout northern Michigan. Our child welfare programs and crisis services are accredited by CARF, assuring our stakeholders of our commitment to excellence in our clinical and administrative practices. CFS has earned the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency as well. 



Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan

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