What Interface Children & Family Services does

Interface Children & Family Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency founded in 1973 and headquartered in Camarillo, California. The organization delivers direct, wrap-around services across six core program areas: Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Prevention, Human Trafficking Prevention and Intervention, Justice Services, Mental Health and Trauma Treatment, Youth Crisis and Homeless Services, and 211 Information and Assistance. Operationally, Interface runs 30 distinct programs out of six service locations in Ventura County and is licensed to operate confidential emergency shelters including the Safe Haven DV shelter, Safe Journey transitional housing, HEART House (female trafficking survivors, opened 2017), and RESST (male trafficking survivors, opened 2023). It also leads the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force, co-established in 2019 with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office under an Enhanced Collaborative Model.

The organization's underlying technology footprint is modest and centered on service delivery rather than proprietary software. Its most scalable asset is the 211 Information and Assistance call center — a 24/7 phone, text, and web referral service supporting 150+ languages via phone interpretation and operating across 31 California counties, with a separate 211Now disaster-resource web platform. Direct services are delivered in person at six locations and via telehealth, with crisis access through 24/7 hotlines for domestic violence/human trafficking and youth crisis/homelessness.

Interface is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual and corporate donations (one-time, recurring, stock, planned giving), designated legacy funds, federal grants from the HHS Administration for Children and Families, county contracts (probation, public defender, sheriff), and signature fundraising events (Hope & Light gala and Love is Brewing). All client services are provided free of charge. The organization is led by Executive Director Erik Sternad and governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Peter Gould (Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank), with the Chief Human Resources Officer Marissa Gagua reporting in. Interface has held GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency (2024) and was formally recognized by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in February 2025.

Name

Interface Children & Family Services

Legal name

Interface Children & Family Services

Website

https://icfs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Interface Children & Family Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that delivers free trauma-informed social services — including DV and trafficking shelters, mental health treatment, youth crisis housing, justice reentry, and the 211 referral call center — across six Ventura County locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Domestic violence prevention
• Human trafficking intervention
• Mental health counseling
• Youth crisis shelter

Headquarters

HQ city

Camarillo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations through one-time and recurring gifts, stock donations, honor gifts, donor-advised funds, and planned giving. Interface operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
2. Special Events Revenue: Annual fundraising events including Hope & Light (13th annual, raised over $450,000 in 2025) and Love is Brewing (raised over $230,000 in 2026).
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Federal grant support from Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Multiple grants fund specific programs and services.
4. Special Funds: Designated legacy funds including Rachel Castillo Legacy Fund for domestic violence survivors and Ron Polito 'Be Well, Do Well' Trauma Education & Prevention Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Interface Children & Family Services is a nonprofit social services agency that delivers free, trauma-informed direct services across six core areas: mental health and trauma treatment, domestic violence and child abuse prevention (including emergency shelter), human trafficking prevention and intervention (including HEART House and RESST shelters), youth crisis and homeless services, justice services, and 211 information and referral. It operates 30 distinct programs across six service locations in Ventura County, California, supported by donations, government grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Interface Children & Family Services operates as a comprehensive nonprofit social services agency providing direct, responsive wrap-around services through 30 distinct programs across six core service areas. The organization offers an integrated portfolio of human services including: Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Prevention (emergency shelter, transitional housing, community advocacy, and school-based prevention education); Human Trafficking Prevention & Intervention (crisis response, emergency shelters including the county's first men's shelter, community advocacy, and professional training); Justice Services (youth diversion programs, restorative justice, and reentry support); Mental Health & Trauma Treatment (evidence-based therapy including Triple P parenting program, child abuse treatment, and trauma recovery); Youth Crisis & Homeless Services (youth shelter, street outreach, and 24/7 crisis line); and 211 Information & Assistance (24/7 referral call center serving 30,000+ annually). The organization also operates the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force and provides specialized programs like My Body Belongs to Me child safety education. Services are available in multiple languages and delivered through six service locations in Ventura County, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 211 Ventura County: A comprehensive information and referral service connecting callers and texters to health and human services, available 24/7 in 150+ languages
• HEART House
• RESST Shelter

Products and services

• Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Prevention Programs Comprehensive crisis response and support for victims of domestic violence, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, community-based advocacy, and school-based prevention education programs for youth and community outreach.
• Human Trafficking Prevention & Intervention Programs Programs and in-person emergency response for victims of human trafficking, including emergency shelter (HEART House and RESST Shelter), community-based advocacy, crisis response, and professional training for law enforcement and medical providers.
• Justice Services Programs Comprehensive services supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults navigating reentry, including diversion programs (LEAP, LIFT), restorative justice conferencing (H2H), youth reentry support, and juvenile justice service coordination.
• Mental Health & Trauma Treatment Programs Mental health, trauma recovery treatment, and parenting interventions for children, families, and adults, including Triple P Positive Parenting Program, Child Abuse Treatment (CHAT), PETSA, and trauma-responsive services for domestic violence and trafficking survivors.
• Youth Crisis & Homeless Services Programs Basic needs and housing support for youth ages 12-24 who have run away, are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk, including a licensed six-bed youth shelter, street outreach program, 24/7 crisis hotline, and family mediation services.
• 211 Information & Assistance 24/7 information and referral service available in 150+ languages that connects callers and texters to information about health and human services in Ventura County, serving over 30,000 callers annually.
• My Body Belongs to Me Child abuse prevention program for preschool and elementary school-aged children that educates and empowers children about personal safety in a non-threatening way to help them recognize and respond to potentially dangerous situations.
• Safe Haven Emergency Shelter 30-day emergency shelter for survivors fleeing domestic violence offering case management, counseling, restraining order assistance, advocacy, and supportive services for victims and their children.
• Safe Journey Transitional Shelter Transitional supportive living for domestic violence survivors who have completed emergency shelter stay, offering case management and counseling to assist healing and encourage independence.
• HEART House Shelter Confidential shelter for adult female survivors of human trafficking (Helping to End, Address and Respond to Trafficking) providing trauma-informed, supportive residential setting for healing and independence.
• RESST Shelter Confidential shelter for adult male survivors of human trafficking (Recognizing, Empowering and Supporting Survivors of Trafficking), the county's first men's human trafficking shelter.
• Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force (VCHTTF) Multidisciplinary anti-human trafficking task force partnering with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office to identify victims, investigate cases, and provide comprehensive victim services through a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach.
• 211Now Website that centralizes and verifies resources from public officials and community organizations for residents facing disaster, developed by 211 Ventura County.
• Family Violence Response Team Hotline 24/7 hotline (1-800-636-6738) providing crisis counseling, safety planning, referrals, restraining order assistance, and in-person advocate response for domestic violence and human trafficking victims.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of local individuals served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ventura County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force established in 2019 as an Enhanced Collaborative Model. Interface leads Victim Service efforts while the Sheriff's Office leads Law Enforcement Efforts. Both agencies partner with community providers to provide comprehensive anti-human trafficking services.
• Oxnard Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Interface on the Youth LIFT Partnership program aimed at diverting youth from juvenile justice system using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches targeting underserved communities in Oxnard.
• Ventura County Probation Agency (VCPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple justice services partnerships including Reducing Risk for Girls project, Second Chances Youth Reentry Project, Proposition 47 Diversion program, and Youth Advocate Program co-located at Juvenile Probation office.
• Ventura County Public Defender's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on Proposition 47 Diversion program supplementing existing judicial diversion by offering wraparound services to adults facing Prop 47 charges.
• Southern California Edison (SCE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership through 211 Ventura County supporting customers with Access and Functional Needs during Public Safety Power Shutoffs with transportation, hotel accommodations, battery or generator rebates.
• AARPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAARP and 211 Ventura County partnered to connect family caregivers experiencing urgent social services needs with caregiving resources and critical information on accessing community-based services.
• Task Force Partner OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple community partners and victim service providers participate in the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force alongside Interface and the Sheriff's Office, providing comprehensive vetted services to trafficking survivors.
• Turning Point FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Proposition 47 Diversion collaborative project with Ventura County Public Defender's Office, DA's Office, and Superior Court.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Childhelp: National nonprofit operating child abuse prevention hotlines, shelters, and treatment programs across multiple states. Broader incumbent given significantly larger scope and national presence, but overlapping child abuse hotline, prevention, and intervention service areas.
• National Children's Alliance: National membership and accreditation body for Children's Advocacy Centers delivering child abuse forensic interviewing and victim services. Broader incumbent operating at the national/standards-setting level in the same child abuse response domain where Interface provides direct services.

Direct peers

• Five Acres: Southern California nonprofit providing residential treatment, mental health, and family services for children and families in crisis. Direct peer given similar mix of residential care, mental health treatment, and family preservation services.
• 211 LA County: The Los Angeles County 211 information and referral service operating 24/7 in multiple languages. Direct peer given shared 211 service model, comparable multilingual call-center infrastructure, and similar referral partnership role in the Southern California social services ecosystem.
• Human Options: Orange County-based nonprofit delivering domestic violence shelter, prevention education, and survivor support services. Direct peer given shared DV shelter, hotline, and prevention education model serving Southern California communities.
• Penny Lane Centers: Los Angeles County nonprofit offering foster care, mental health, juvenile justice, and homeless youth services. Direct peer given overlapping services for at-risk youth and families with similar nonprofit funding model and county-contract dependence.
• Interval House: Long-running Orange County nonprofit providing emergency DV shelter, transitional housing, and counseling. Direct peer given comparable DV shelter plus wraparound survivor services targeting Southern California residents.
• Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services: A Southern California nonprofit providing mental health, child welfare, and family preservation services across multiple locations in Los Angeles County. Direct peer given similar children & family wraparound model, comparable nonprofit governance, and overlapping service categories (mental health, juvenile justice, foster care).
• Children's Bureau of Southern California: Los Angeles-based nonprofit delivering adoption, foster care, child abuse prevention, and family support services. Direct peer given shared mission around child abuse prevention, family preservation, and trauma-informed care for vulnerable children and families in Southern California.
• Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles: Comprehensive social services nonprofit providing mental health, case management, DV support, and senior services across multiple LA locations. Direct peer given comparable multi-program, multi-service-area nonprofit model with similar mental health and family support components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/InterfaceVC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCh_g9-LuEP0hcM33wh8yIMw
• Facebookfacebook.com/interfacechildrenandfamilysvcs
• Instagraminstagram.com/interfacewhatif/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Interface Children & Family Services