Success for Children & Families

Starts With You

Join Our Mission to Bring Hope, Healing, and Strength to Families

Your support helps children and families overcome challenges, discover their resilience, and build brighter futures. Together, we provide life-changing mental health care, empower parents through advocacy, and create communities where every family can thrive.

A Better Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works in collaboration with Alameda, San Francisco, Solano and Contra Costa Counties to help children and parents flourish.

San Francisco Marathon Team 2025

We’re running for children & families at the SF Marathon

July 26-27, 2005

A mother and daughter laughing and smiling, close-up portrait against a plain background.

“The therapist was phenomenal. I would not be where I am today, and my daughter's mental health would not be where she is today if it was not for the therapist at A Better Way.”
— Client whose daughter received psychotherapy through A Better Way

An older woman with glasses and blonde hair is being kissed on each cheek by a young boy and a young girl in a park with trees in the background.

“When I started this class I had no hope and now I have my kids back. My case is closed. I have my own place. Life is great. Thanks to all of you.”
— Participant in the Parent Leadership Support Group

A smiling man with glasses and gray beard wearing a dark blue shirt stands next to a smiling woman with glasses and earrings, in a kitchen setting.

“We're still in touch with the social workers who we met through A Better Way. They're aunts and uncles to our children."
— Sheila & Andrew, who fostered then adopted five children through A Better Way

A father and son smiling during a therapy or counseling session with a therapist taking notes.

Mental Health

Working in collaboration with counties, our teams of Therapists, Family Partners and Behavioral Intervention Specialists provide Mental Health Services to some of the Bay Area’s most vulnerable children, youth and families.

Parent Advocacy

Our Parent Advocacy programs support Child Welfare-involved parents by matching them with members of our staff who’ve had personal, successful experience navigating Child Welfare.

Happy family of four smiling outdoors in a park, holding two children, late afternoon sunlight.

Family Strengthening

Our family strengthening programs strive to improve outcomes for families at risk and help parents learn to better manage family issues. These programs are operated in partnership with Alameda County DCFS.

Transitional Housing

We provide young adults aged 18-21 with housing, and a safe, supported transition out of foster care.​

  • “You are always so on top of everything, just wanted you to know that this has been noticed and appreciated so much so that A Better Way was called out for excellence and was the only contracted provider who got a shout out.”

    — County Program Manager