Ventura, CA (July 1, 2024) PathPoint announced today that Kids & Families Together (K&FT) has merged with the organization, effective July 1, 2024. The two organizations’ complementary services will strengthen the mental health care and child and family related support available for vulnerable populations within the Central Coast. Both entities completed an in-depth process of due diligence and each decided by vote of their respective Boards of Directors to merge.
Kids & Families Together offers a range of services for foster/resource, kinship, adoptive, and birth families in Ventura County. The organization’s mission is to strengthen relationships by providing safe, supportive help that keeps family members emotionally connected to one another. Born out of Faith Friedlander’s lived experience and her husband David Friedlander’s shared passion, K&FT opened its doors on January 1, 2000. Since this time, the organization has deeply expanded its range of support.
As a merged organization, PathPoint will now offer three service types: Developmental Disability Services, Behavioral Health Services, and Child & Family Services (encompassing K&FT). As a new division of PathPoint, Kids & Families Together will retain its name and all existing contracted services will continue. Jennifer Newbold, LMFT, will oversee the new K&FT division, as Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services and Child & Family Services.
During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the two organizations enhanced their partnership through a Services and Consulting Agreement, aimed at preparing both sides for integrating in a thoughtful, strategic, and collaborative manner. Co-founders David and Faith Friedlander retired on June 30, 2024. They anticipate remaining involved in the merged organization as supporters and in a capacity that best matches their circumstances and the organization's mission. Three members of K&FT’s Board of Directors – Crystal Cummings, Mary Galvin, and Sharon Watts Woolley (K&FT’s former Board Chair) – have joined PathPoint’s Board.
“We are thrilled about the merger between Kids & Families Together and PathPoint! K&FT serves as a pillar of service to foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological children and families in need. We have worked diligently and collaboratively with PathPoint executives and staff members to ensure that this merger will benefit both organizations and the communities we serve,” said Sharon Watts Woolley, former Chair of K&FT’s Board of Directors. “We sincerely believe that we will be ‘stronger together.’”
“The merger between PathPoint and Kids & Families Together will provide key opportunities to expand vital community support and services. The chance to support children and families at such a vulnerable time in their lives is critically important,” said Yolanda Bosch, the Chair of PathPoint’s Board of Directors.
Together, PathPoint and K&FT will continue to serve the Central Coast community through an expanded continuum of care. As a merged organization, PathPoint looks forward to continuing David and Faith’s legacy by sustaining and growing Kids & Families Together’s vital mission, impressive family of services, and outstanding staff.
PathPoint is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people in living the life they choose. The organization partners with people with disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships. Founded in 1964, PathPoint offers services in five counties across Central Coast and Southern California: Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. For more information, please visit www.PathPoint.org.
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