Western Youth Services

Outpatient Clinics

WYS provides mental, behavioral and emotional health services to more than 4,000 families annually at one of our four outpatient clinics in Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana and Mission Viejo. In 2023 we’ve increased capacity by 30% and are opening a second clinic in Santa Ana. The clients served in these clinics are among the most vulnerable of our local population and are referred to us when facing crises. WYS provides outpatient services primarily for Orange County Medi-Cal eligible clients up to age 21. Individualized and solution-focused services are provided at a level, frequency and duration consistent with each client’s treatment goals. Services include but are not limited to clinical interventions, clinical and psycho-diagnostic assessment, family therapy, crisis intervention, treatment planning, discharge planning, case management, mediation support, Therapeutic Behavioral Services, peer support, and advocacy. In addition, collateral services may be provided to support and educate our client’s adult caregiver(s). These services are publicly funded.

WYS School-Based Programs

WYS believes that all students should have access to equitable, high-quality mental health support so that they strengthen their mental and emotional wellbeing, feel good about themselves and their lives, and have the skills to be successful in school and beyond. We partner with schools to build a trauma-informed culture that cultivates resilience and mitigates the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, which in turn creates safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments. WYS School-Based Programs offers a three-tiered approach ranging from Prevention to Intensive Intervention that can be customized based on the needs of the school community. WYS employs highly trained staff who provide culturally competent mental health support to students and their families in schools and through community-based services. We strive to provide relationship-driven support that builds long-term partnerships with school staff and administrators to meet them where they are and work hand-in-hand to deliver effective, individualized solutions. Our services are intended to benefit all students, and increase mental, emotional, and social competency through evidence-based and trauma-informed practices. We help schools provide a safe, healthy, and equitable school climate that meets students where they are and promotes a readiness to learn. As a non-profit mental health organization with over 50 years of experience, our approach to treatment is established, documented, and proven to work.

Behavioral Health Training Collaborative (BHTC)

Western Youth Services along with four local area partners formed the Behavioral Health Training Collaborative (BHTC) in December 2019 to work together to provide mental health and wellness trainings at no cost to the Orange County, California community. We offer in-person trainings at various facilities in Orange County and can also host virtual trainings, making it even easier for families, agencies, schools and community groups to attend. Trainings are offered to community members, community serving professionals, and clinical professionals to improve their awareness, skills, and knowledge on an array of behavioral and mental health topics. By working as a collaborative with agencies that specialize in reaching unique populations, we are able to provide a wide variety of trainings to diverse cultures in multiple languages. Some areas of training include: • Suicide Prevention • Mental Health First Aid • Trauma-Informed Care • Self-Care for Professionals • Recognizing and Responding to Client Needs • LGBTQ+ Training • Improving Family Communications • Multicultural Mental Health Training • Building Trauma-Informed School Communities • Evidence-Based Clinical Trainings • Multi-Part Trainings Supporting Families and Individuals Living with Mental Illness

Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)

Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) provides free mental health training to traditional and non-traditional first responders, including Law Enforcement, Fire, Dispatch, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), etc. Our trainings provide clear guidelines for first responders to identify systemic problems, create mutually beneficial solutions, and increase safety for individuals in crisis and first responders. The tools provided during these trainings include: Signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders De-escalation and tactical communication Greater connection and positive interactions between community members and first responders Mental health resources and tools How to assess for suicidality, decision-making impairments and more

Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP)

SBHIP is a program that originated from State law (AB 133, Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5961.3) with the intention to address behavioral health access obstacles for Medi-Cal students. This initiative employs targeted interventions to enhance access to preventive, early intervention, and behavioral health services. These services are facilitated by behavioral health providers affiliated with schools, benefiting TK-12 children in public education. As part of a statewide effort, WYS has developed a comprehensive training curriculum encompassing behavioral and mental health core competencies for school personnel. Examples are below: Prevention and early intervention strategies for addressing behavioral health concerns within schools. Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and other precursors to behavioral and learning challenges. Skillful risk assessment, including self-harm, cutting, and high-risk behaviors. Effective handling of suicidal ideation. Implementation of short-term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques for managing anxiety and depression. Addressing substance abuse. Incorporating harm reduction approaches. Promoting inclusivity and support for LGBTQ students. Educators are also invited to participate in our practical application post-training support. Our support includes dedicated office hours, coaching, and practical worksheets. These tools are designed to help educators set and achieve realistic goals, ensuring effective application of new skills.