Community Based Services

Over the last few years Casa Pacifica has extended its services off-campus and into the community through three different programs: Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), Wraparound, and Supportive and Therapeutic Options Program (STOP). Though the funding streams and program design differ among the three programs, all are directed at the same goal - keeping children who are in jeopardy of "out of home" placement in their own homes and communities. These three programs have more than doubled the number of children and families we serve each year and, in terms of staffing and revenue, now account for about a third of our annual budget.

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS)

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) has been developed for children in the community who are in jeopardy of being placed in high-level group homes. Unlike STOP, TBS is primarily delivered in the home, school or community as an auxiliary service for children already receiving county mental health services. TBS counselors spend most of their time implementing behavioral interventions with the child and working with parents and caregivers to effectively use behavioral plans. The TBS program has proven quite successful at helping children stay in or transition to homes in the community.

Ventura County. Casa Pacifica launched the TBS program in Ventura in the spring of 2000 in response to a competitive bid process overseen by Ventura County Behavioral Health. Contracting with VCBH, Casa Pacifica is the only TBS provider in the County. More than 400 children had received services by December 2004 with over 80% achieving their TBS goals and remaining at home. As of early 2005 the average caseload was approaching 50 with a staff of 17 required to deliver these intensive in-home services. For more information on TBS Ventura call Dr. Jody Kussin at (805) 384-8968 or e-mail her at jkussin@casapacifica.org.

Santa Barbara County. The TBS program in Santa Barbara County began in July of 2003. As is the case in Ventura County Casa Pacifica is the only TBS provider in Santa Barbara. Because of the volume of referrals from the Santa Maria area, we opened an office in the north county in early 2004. As of January 2005 a staff of 13 work exclusively in Santa Barbara County with an average caseload of 40. For more information on TBS Santa Barbara call Dr. Pam Fisher at 805-384-8968 or e-mail her at pfisher@casapacifica.org

Wraparound

Wraparound is a State initiated and State/County funded program intended to keep children who would otherwise be placed in group homes at-home and in their own communities. This is accomplished by bringing together a unique team of community members who know the child and family and who help develop a plan that builds on the family's strengths and uses natural supports and resources. The Wraparound motto is doing "whatever it takes" to keep the child and family together safely. Once enrolled in Wraparound we anticipate that children/youth will remain in the program for a year or more.

Following a competitive bid process overseen by Ventura County Human Services Agency, Casa Pacifica was awarded the Wraparound program. Our partner in the program is United Parents, an organization dedicated to helping parents of children "in the system." United Parents provides three parent partners who are an integral part of the child and family team assigned to each family. When fully implemented in the Spring of 2005, the Wraparound program will serve a total of 40 families.

The addition of Wraparound to Casa Pacifica's array of programs

• broadens the range of services we provide,

• creates a true continuum of care for children we serve,

• enables us to more effectively transition back into the community children receiving services on campus, and

• moves our skills and expertise into the community.

For more information on Wraparound call Dr. Jody Kussin at (805) 384-8968 or e-mail her at jkussin@casapacifica.org.

Supportive and Therapeutic Options Program (STOP)

The Supportive and Therapeutic Options Program (STOP) provides clinical and aftercare services to day students and their families. All of the participants attend Casa Pacifica's Non-public School, taking the bus in the morning and attending the program after school until 5 p.m. The after school program includes a structured homework period, therapeutic activities, and group and individual therapy. It is augmented by in-home support from counselors, who visit homes to help students get "back on track." Family nights are held twice a month and include supper, socializing, group therapy and parent training. For more information or to refer a child call Dr. Myra Saltoun at (805)484-7120 or email her at msaltoun@casapacifica.org.