Overview

The Help Group Child and Family Center

Families in our society today face tremendous challenges with the prevalence of gang violence, substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, unemployment and other stressors which increases the likelihood that child abuse will occur. Childhood should be a time of exploration, expression, imagination, learning and discovery. Unfortunately, for many children it is a time of fear, confusion and sadness. Recognizing that the challenges in our community are complex, The Help Group Child and Family Center offers a continuum of services to address the unique needs of each child and family. The Help Group Child and Family Center (THGCFC) is a family-focused, child-centered mental health provider offering comprehensive services to the children and the families of our community. The Help Group is inspired by its belief that hope, dignity and opportunity are the cornerstone for every child and family to lead a positive, productive life.

The Help Group Child and Family Center, one of the largest mental health providers in Los Angeles County, has provided services through the Department of Children and Family Services and Department of Mental Health (DMH) since 1985. HGCFC was one of the first in Los Angeles County to be at the forefront of implementing the Sensitive Services MediCal Program, and served as a pilot program for Coordinated Care.

The Help Group, through its many specialized clinical and educational programs, provides assistance to children and families within their communities through its Child and Family Center therapeutic and educational programs. HGCFC is a legal entity of The Help Group that focuses on strengthening individuals and families through improving mental health, maximizing access to care and community resources. HGCFC has a long history of developing and growing programs in response to the special populations and growing needs of the families in our community. Together we envision a community filled with hope, courage and progress.

The Help Group has provided services in Service Area 2 (SA 2) for over 20 years and expanded its continuum of comprehensive educational and clinical support to the Westside in 2000. In addition, the programs within each of The Help Group’s agencies are offered individually or may be combined to address the unique needs of each child and family. The Help Group services are accredited through CARF, the gold standard for behavioral health practices.

To meet the needs of the diverse community we serve, The Help Group employs bilingual and bicultural clinicians and staff that can provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services in English, Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, Hebrew, Arabic and Russian. This multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, and multi-linguistic team consists of Master’s level therapists, licensed mental health professionals, Bachelor’s level case managers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and a number of licensed clinical supervisors. Each team member is trained in HIPPA compliance, Child Abuse Reporting, Confidentiality and Limits to Confidentiality. All therapists provide Field Capable Clinical Services (FCCS), Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment of Children (EPSDT) and Enhanced Mental Health (EMH) services. Selected therapists have been trained in evidence-based practices and work consistently within the models. Current Evidenced-Based Practices offered through The Help Group Child and Family Center include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Seeking Safety (SS), CBITS and Managing & Adapting Practices (MAP). Some of our licensed therapists are certified to provide domestic violence and substance abuse services. All potential employees undergo background checks, TB testing and reference checks.

 

CalWORKs Mental Health Treatment

CalWORKs’ re-designed Mental Health Treatment services at The Help Group Child and Family Center are provided to recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) with a focus on assisting clients to overcome obstacles to securing and retaining employment. Mental health services include individual and group therapy, psychiatric assessment and medication support, and supported employment services, as well as case management services.

The lead agency for administration of Los Angeles County’s CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program is the Department of Social Services (DPSS). The Help Group’s CalWORKs program adheres to and is in compliance with DMH and DPSS policies and up-to-date changes. The overall goal of the Los Angeles County CalWORKs program is to improve the lives of children and families by assisting adults and caretakers to become economically self-sufficient.
Program Goals and Objectives

The CalWORKs clinical team at The Help Group is comprised of experienced social workers, clinicians, supervisors, psychiatrists, case managers and employment specialists, trained in various Evidenced-Based Practices, including Seeking Safety, Positive Parenting (Triple P), Trauma Focused CBT and Supported Employment EBP. The Help Group’s CalWORKs program provides a broad array of mental health services to adult CalWORKs/GAIN participants whose clinical assessments have determined that they have a mental health related barrier to employment. Most recent studies indicate a higher prevalence of mental health disorders among welfare recipients than the general population.

These mental health services are family focused and include:

Comprehensive individual and/or family therapeutic assessments and treatment
Comprehensive psychiatric assessments and medication management treatment
Case management assessments; resources and/or linkage (housing, food, transportation, educational, childcare, vocational, specialized supportive and recreational services/resources) as needed
Supported Employment services; including four phases of employment service (intake, assessment, job placement, job coaching) and follow-along supports before step down to less intensive employment support from another mental health practitioner.
Multiple specialized therapeutic and educational groups, including Life Skills, Vocational Skills, Parent Education, Child-Abuse Prevention groups, Seeking Safety and a group for victims of Domestic Violence.

Success Stories

Brigette

Brigette is a 49-year-old single mother of African-American background.  She is raising a child, Nathan, who has Autism. Both, Brigette and Nathan are clients at The Help Group for over 2 years. Upon Brigette’s admission to the CalWorks program, Brigette reported having significant challenges: limited support system, basic needs issues, lack of employment/ mental health barriers to employment, no Driver’s License, no car, issues with her child at school, due to lack of vital services (one-on-one), and overall apathy due to so many barriers to live a happy, fulfilling, productive life. Given so many challenges, Brigette was immediately linked to the IPS and TCM services at The Help Group to help her meet basic needs for her family, first, in order to be able to concentrate on employment needs, later. Brigette’s first job was obtained in the summer of 2021 at the local Dollar Tree store. Even though this job had low pay, limited work hours and no benefits, Brigette took it. It was her first job in America, after she emigrated from Africa.

The Help group offered very intense services to Brigette’s son, advocating for his one-on one service at the school for over 2 years now, attending every IEP meeting at school with Regional center and Educational advocates to secure much needed service for the child at school. In January of 2022, Nathan’s one-on one service was finally approved by his school, and Nathan will finally be able to get more support in his classroom to help him manage his anger outbursts.  Brigette’s son has also been linked to Individual therapy, TCM,  Psychiatry and even group therapy at The Help Group for kids on the spectrum, which was actually inspired by his very own story of struggle, and therefore, carried his name: RAYS (Re-defining Autistic Youth Socially).  After attending for a few months, Nathan had to stop, due to the lack of transportation in order to make it to the group meetings on-time. Brigette dreamed of obtaining a Driver’s license and a car, in order to improve the quality of life for herself and for Nathan, but she did not know where to start to make this dream come true. Brigette obtained support in therapy and was able to address her fears associated with driving.  When she was ready, The Help Group offered client resources on driving school lessons, enabling her to pass the driving test. In November of 2021, Brigette passed her driving test, obtained a driving license and bought her first car. In December of 2021, as her transportation issues were no longer present, Brigette was able to pursue a better employment opportunity with higher salary and benefits, while both, meeting her own needs ( becoming a better provider, a happier member of the society) and her child’s needs(having more finances to spend on extra-curricular and outings) for Nathan.  The family even went on a short vacation to Africa, where Nathan was able to see his first cousins for the first time and to take a plane for the first time.

Today, Brigette works at the Rite aid, as a cashier, and is valued by her Supervisors and customers for her kind heart, dedicated service and excellent customer care. Brigette continues to work closely with Employment Specialist to obtain a full-time employment. Due to a significant progress, Brigette is heading for a discharge from The Help Group in the next few months upon meeting her goals fully. With the help of skilled Clinicians, Case workers, Employment Specialists, Psychiatrist for her son at The Help Group, all of whom walked extra-miles for families like Brigette’s, she was able to take back control from her circumstances to be able to heal, design her own path, and increase mental and emotional tolerance to handle life in a much more adaptive way. Brigette’s experience is described succinctly in this comment made by her to her therapist in one of the sessions:  “I have a team that gave me wings. I consider The Help Group my family! ”

Francisco

When Francisco first came to The Help Group last year and enrolled in the CalWORKs (CW) program, he was struggling to overcome many barriers to employment, some of which had their roots in his traumatic childhood. At just 13 years old, he was drafted into the Sandinista army and fought in guerilla jungle warfare for 8 years, witnessing many of his close comrades die at close range. Francisco wanted a different future for himself, so he managed to get out of the army, worked hard to complete a business degree and was able to immigrate to the United States.

In the U.S., he worked as a district manager for a food chain company, but unfortunately, his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was triggered when he witnessed the death of a stranger on the streets of Van Nuys. After that, he suffered an emotional breakdown and began experiencing panic attacks that left him unable to work. When Francisco started at The Help Group, this 44-year-old single father had intense difficulties in social settings, felt uncomfortable in one-on-one therapy and had low self-confidence related to his limitations with the English language and his ability to perform job tasks.

As time progressed, Francisco became committed to attending weekly therapy sessions at The Help Group’s Van Nuys Campus and began to build familiarity with the CWs team. Eventually, he agreed to attend the weekly Life Skills group, where he was able to interact with other participants and significantly improve his social skills. Some months later, after Francisco became comfortable with the social stress of group therapy, he was enrolled in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services in order to work towards employment. At the first introduction with IPS services and his Employment Specialist, Francisco’s feelings of anxiety were so intense that he was unable to get out of the car to come into the office. Through working closely with his clinician, psychiatrist, case manager and employment specialist, and after much patience and courage, Francisco reported feeling empowered and excited about the prospect of employment.

He is currently actively and eagerly applying for jobs, going on interviews and volunteering weekly at his children’s school. He is looking for employment in which he is independent and in control of his environment but will still have the opportunity to interact with people. Francisco, who at the beginning of services had applied for SSI and had given up on finding employment, is now looking to his future with optimism and self-confidence and has expressed his gratitude towards the CalWORKs team at The Help Group.

Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention & Treatment and Family Support Programs

The Help Group Child and Family Center’s Child Abuse and Prevention Program offers comprehensive services for children and families at risk for child abuse and/or neglect. This program is designed to promote child safety and empowerment of families with supportive services needed to meet their goals to achieve stability. The Help Group partners with families and communities to assist each family to create their own plans for recovery and provides an array of services, including parent education and support, family and individual psychotherapy, case management, community outreach services and crisis management.

Understanding the importance of the Five Protective Factors Model, which includes parental resilience, social connections, knowledge, concrete support and social/emotional competence, The Help Group offers various parenting education support groups in Spanish, English and Russian. The parent education program includes interactive and didactic lessons focusing on anger management, child development and impulse control. A certificate is provided for each participant who completes 20 classes.The aim of the parenting programs is to enhance families’ strengths and to provide the support and resources necessary to create the best possible environment for the development of children and youth.

 

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program

The Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT) is the child health component of the federal Medicaid program through which The Help Group provides a broad range of mental health services, including individual therapy, family therapy, case management and psychiatric support for children ages 3 to 21 and their families with full-scope Medi-Cal and Healthy Families insurance coverage.

 

Family Preservation Mental Health Services

This outpatient program provides intensive mental health treatment, medication management, case management and a parenting program for families identified by the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) as experiencing problems in family functioning characterized by child abuse and/or neglect. Families receive weekly in-home and office-based services, including individual and family counseling, child abuse prevention, parent education, parent training classes and support groups.

 

Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT)

Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT) is a collaborative effort between The Help Group, other community providers, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to conduct timely, strengths-based and comprehensive assessments of children and youth entering out-of-home placement. MAT assessments are designed to help identify and meet the special needs that children may have, in order to avoid, if possible, lengthy separation from their families. Goals of the program include earlier access to medical and mental health services for children and families and increased collaboration between families, caregivers, service providers and government agencies.

 

Prevention and Early Intervention Program (PEI)

Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI):  The Help Group provides a number of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) as part of the PEI Program funded through the Mental Health Services Act. Evidence-based practices currently being offered include: Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) to address anxiety, depression, disruptive disorders, or trauma among youth age 0-21; Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to treat children age 3-18 that have experience trauma exposure; Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) to assist caregivers in managing their child’s (age 0-18) challenging behaviors; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to address emotional and behavioral disorders in young children (age 2-7) by improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns; Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), to address trauma in young children (age 0-5) by promoting and strengthening the relationship between caregiver and child; Seeking Safety (SS), a present-focused treatment for consumers (age 13 and up) that targets co-occurring trauma symptoms and unsafe behavior; Crisis Oriented Recovery Services (CORS), a short-term intervention designed to provide immediate crisis intervention for clients age 3 and up; Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT), which aims to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and the effects of trauma for individuals age 16+; and Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS), a family-focused therapy for individuals(age 12-30) experiencing prodromal symptoms or their first psychotic break.

 

School-Based Mental Health Treatment

School-Based Mental Health Program is a mental health program provided in schools through a partnership and collaboration between the local school district or private/charter school and the Help Group’s Child and Family Center. Its mission is to promote and strengthen students’ social and emotional well-being and their respective families so children can access learning. Through this collaboration, School-Based Mental Health services offered by the Help Group can provide consultation, prevention, assessment, treatment and linkage to other resources and services.School-based services are funded by the following sources: Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), Field Capable Clinical Services (FCCS) and Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI).

Individual child/adolescent therapy is offered on-site at local public schools for children/adolescents identified as being at-risk by school personnel. If indicated, family therapy, collateral visits/consultations, targeted case management, medication management and parenting groups are offered to the school-based client and their family either on site at The Help Group site or in home. The Help Group’s multi-cultural and multi-linguistic team of clinicians provides services in English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Farsi and Arabic.

Additionally, the school-based coordinator conducts in-service trainings for all schools at various times during the year. The coordinator meets with each school to discuss service delivery plans and how to identify students for mental health services.

This program is currently offered in the following schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District:

Andasol Elementary
Beethoven Elementary
Bertrand Avenue Elementary
Blythe Elementary
Canoga Park High School
Calahan Elementary
Chandler Learning Academy
Coldwater Canyon Elementary
Crescent Heights Elementary
Columbus Middle
Emelita Elementary
Frost Middle
Grant High School
Hamilton High School
Harding Street Elementary
Marina Del Rey Middle School
Mark Twain Middle School
Millikan Middle School
Monlux Elementary
Palms Middle School
Portola Elementary
Shenandoah Elementary
Shirley Avenue Elementary
Short Elementary
Stagg Avenue Elementary
Stoner Elementary
Sylmar Elementary
Sunland Elementary
Verdugo Hills High School
Victory Elementary
Webster Middle School
Woodland Hills Academy

The program is currently offered in the following charter schools:

Multicultural Learning Center (Charter) K-8

 

CAPPS (Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States)

 

CAPPS is a prevention and early intervention program that focuses on youth and young adults, ages 16-25, who are in danger of experiencing their first-break psychosis and their families. The program provides early prevention strategies aimed at identifying individuals at risk for psychosis, and it provides preventative interventions targeting both conversion to psychosis and functional disability in clients who are experiencing prodromal symptoms of their first-break psychosis. This early intervention component can greatly increase positive outcomes in several life domains including family relationships, school, work, and social functioning. Early intervention is aimed at reducing the risk of developing a severe and chronic mental disorder, and reducing the severity of the disorder after onset. The program is comprehensive and includes individual, group, and family therapy, parent education, referral for neuropsychosocial assessment, medication support, case management needs assessment and linkage to resources.

For more information please contact:

Maureen Dane. Lanktree   CAPPS Program Clinical Supervisor, at Mlanktree@thehelpgroup.org

310-751-1184

Carla Nunez    OP Intake Coordinator, at cnunez@thehelpgroup.org

310-751-1174

 

Therapeutic Behavioral Services

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) is a short-term intervention program focused on giving individual support to children and youth, their caregivers and other care providers, such as group home staff and school personnel in order to learn new ways of reducing and managing challenging behaviors. TBS is specifically intended to meet the needs of children and youth at risk of being placed in a higher level of care (hospital or group home) or undergoing a transition to a lower level of care. These services are adjunctive to current mental health services and are conducted wherever presenting problems occur (home, group home, community, school).
TBS specialists will work to:

Identify triggers and defense mechanisms to develop behavioral interventions where the client has the most difficulty.
Utilize cognitive behavioral techniques through observation and behavior analysis to design an intervention program that can reduce or eliminate target behaviors, or replace target behaviors with more adaptive behaviors.
Utilize techniques such as self monitoring, formation and utilization of coping skills, relaxation techniques, communication skills, identification of consequences and creation of incentives programs coupled with skill-building interventions.
Coach caregivers to assist them in creating a more positive home environment.
Disseminate information to caregiver and clinician for discussion and facilitate continuity of care.

To be eligible for TBS, a client must be under the age of 21, have full scope Medi-Cal and currently be receiving MHS services (and the client’s presenting behaviors/symptoms are not responding to current mental health services). Client also must be in jeopardy of losing current living situation.

A client must also meet one of the following criteria:

Actively being considered for an RCL 12 or higher or currently placed there
Transitioning from an RCL 12 or higher to a lower level of care
Has been psychiatrically hospitalized in the last 24 months
Currently at risk of psychiatric hospitalization
Received TBS as a class member in the past

 

Administration
Olga Zysman, MFT
Regional Director of Services & Programs, SPA-2, SPA-5
Vera Gisis, LCSW
Director of Outpatient Programs, Van Nuys
Agueda Cabrera, MFT
Associate Director of Outpatient Services, Van Nuys
Maureen Dane Lanktree, LMFT
Director of Outpatient Services, Culver City
Ellen Rogelberg, LMFT
Director of PEI Administration
Heather Bowen
QA Director

Contact Us
Van Nuys Campus
15339 Saticoy St.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Cristina Rivera LMFT
Intake Coordinator for the San Fernando Valley
818.267.2753

Culver City Campus
12099 Washington Blvd. Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.397.4417
Carla Nunez
Intake Coordinator for Culver City
310.751.1174