Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (CFS) opened in 1937 as Dr. Mark Osterlin, founder of CFS, realized that abused and neglected children needed refuge. After being forced to return battered children to unsafe homes, he envisioned a place that would be a safe harbor for children, and so became CFS. The work Dr. Osterlin started nearly eighty years ago continues today.

Since 1937, CFS has provided foster care and adoption services to northwestern Michigan. Over the years, the organization has grown to respond to the community’s changing needs, adding counseling, supervised visitation and exchange, intensive family preservation, and more to its roster of programs.

In January 2014, CFS merged with Third Level Crisis Intervention Center and now additionally provides 24/7 crisis counseling, youth shelter and youth services, and outreach to over 20 counties through seven locations in northern Michigan. In 2015, CFS opened a Trauma Assessment and Treatment Center and medical/behavioral health practice, one of the first of its kind in the state.

Our child welfare programs are accredited by CARF, assuring our stakeholders of our commitment to excellence in our clinical and administrative practices. Our Crisis Services are accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, the standard-setting body for crisis and suicide prevention services.

CFS is proud of its rich history, community connections, and dedicated staff. CFS employs over 120 staff in seven offices in Traverse City, Harbor Springs, Mancelona, Gaylord, and Alpena. CFS is also proud to have more than 250 active volunteers and hundreds more through community partnerships.