Youth Alliance Caminos School Based Counseling Program provides Bilingual Spanish/English school based counseling and case management services for referred children and teens. On site services include assessments, creation of service plans, referrals for services, advocacy, individual, and family counseling. YA provides a range of support services and mental health services to youth in child welfare, juvenile justice and schools in community and school based settings.
The primary goal of the program is to support the youth and/or families’ mental health needs to improve their social, emotional, cognitive, academic, and physical abilities, which will enable the youth to succeed at home and in the community. The Caminos Program also provides Mental Health First Aid workshops for community groups and professionals to recognize the early signs and symptoms of children in need of behavioral health services to ensure children and teens receive the support they need. Caminos is a Mental Health Services Act funded PEI project.
Student referrals may include the following concerns, but are not limited to:
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- Peer to peer conflicts
- Delays in developmental milestones
- Exposure to violence or abuse
- Exhibiting violent behavior
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- Substance abuse
- Concerns of emotional well-being
- Repeated truancy
- Withdrawn or socially isolated
Youth Alliance staff in partnership with the school liaison, teachers, Probation Officer, SRO will refer the children for services using the standard YA Referral form and/or the Mental Health Screening Tool with included parent releases. The Youth Alliance team will work closely with the child to evaluate and develop a treatment plan to meet their unique needs. Services use evidence-based treatment models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Services include:
Individual, and group therapy using strengths-based and resiliency approaches. Supportive counseling for parents and family members when appropriate