California Youth Services
PROGRAMS
Mental Health Programs: Pathways Community Counseling Center
Pathways serves individuals of all ages with quality, affordable mental health evaluations, therapeutic services, and life skills support that are tailored to each individual’s needs. Rather than viewing clients as “patients,” our goal is to create a safe environment where they can collaborate in their own healing process. We make sure that each client feels confident and comfortable with one of our eight clinicians, who can help him or her address a variety of mental health issues. Each year, CYS’ Pathways Community Counseling Center serves more than 130 clients from all over Orange County through offices located in Tustin and Laguna Hills. Services are offered in English and Spanish and are available on a sliding scale fee basis, ensuring that all clients, regardless of language or economic status, can receive services.
Counseling clients will: 1. Improve self-esteem, confidence, and overall mental health; and2. Cultivate healthy communication, boundaries, interpersonal relationships, and problem solving skills.
Crime & Violence Prevention: DECISIONS (currently on hold)
DECISIONS introduces youth and their parents/guardians to the realities and consequences of incarceration and probation. The program provides youth with the opportunity to evaluate the decisions they have made and gain an understanding of the short- and long-term consequences of those decisions. Participants are referred by school districts, law enforcement, probation, or individual parents. Each session is two, 3.5-hour evening classes held at the OC jail facility in Santa Ana. During class time, OC Sheriff’s Deputies, OC District Attorneys, therapists, former incarcerated youth, and reformed adult felons give youth a realistic look at the legal ramifications of committing crimes, from detailed information on sentencing procedures and legal responsibilities of parents to personal stories from other youth and adults. Approximately 100 youth and 140 parents/guardians participate each year.
First time youth offenders will: 1. Understand the legal consequences of juvenile delinquency and other negative behaviors; 2. Avoid recidivism; and 3. Improve their ability to make wiser DECISIONS. Parents/guardians will:1. Understand the legal consequences of their child’s juvenile delinquency; 2. Improve their ability to identify potential indicators of risks for juvenile delinquency; and 3. Learn about additional resources to help them promote positive DECISIONS for their child.
Substance Abuse Education, Prevention, & Intervention: JADE, School Programs, Drug Testing, and Community Outreach
Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE) is for law enforcement, parents, schools, and other referrals. JADE is an intense class, educating youth (ages 12-17) about the consequences of alcohol and drug use. For school districts that need a tailored drug and alcohol program that serve students in violation of substance use policies, we have programs like Project Intervention and New Beginning. Monitored and un-monitored drug testing is provided for public schools and private schools that have volunteer drug testing at their sites. We also provide private monitored drug testing and take-home test kits. CYS' dedicated board members and volunteer speakers provide drug awareness and education in the community at various events through our Community Outreach Program.
Participants will continue to understand the physical, emotional, and legal consequences of substance abuse; decrease drug and alcohol use; and improve their ability to make healthy and safe decisions.
CONTACT
California Youth Services
23282 Mill Creek Dr Ste 130
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-1678
Phone: 949-303-9016