Overview

The Help Group Child and Family Center

Childhood is a time of exploration, expression, imagination, learning and discovery. In these evolving times, we recognize that the challenges in our community are complex, and children and families may be impacted. The Help Group Child and Family Center (THGCFC) is a family-focused, child-centered mental health provider that offers a continuum of services to address the unique needs of each client. The Help Group is inspired by its belief that hope, dignity and opportunity are the cornerstones for every child and family to lead a positive, productive life.

Since 1985, The Help Group Child and Family Center has provided services in Los Angeles County in collaboration with the Departments of Children and Family Services and Mental Health. The Help Group has been at the forefront of offering innovative services in the community, including implementing Medi-Cal Programs and piloting Coordinated Care.

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

The Outpatient Department delivers services in Service Areas 2 (San Fernando Valley) and 5 (West Los Angeles). The programs within each of The Help Group’s sites are offered directly and may be combined to address the unique needs of each child and family. The Help Group services are accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) – the gold standard of care.

The Help Group employs multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, and multi-linguistic staff, including psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed mental health professionals, Master’s level therapists, and Bachelor’s level personnel – supervised by licensed clinical experts. Every team member adheres to HIPAA regulations, child abuse reporting mandates, and laws pertaining to confidentiality. All services adhere to the principles of cultural humility, diversity practices, and social justice. Clinical services include focus on prevention of self-injurious behavior, suicidality, and homicidality.

 

 

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 age 3-21 and their families, with full-scope Medi-Cal and Healthy Families insurance coverage.

 

Outpatient Care Services (OCS)
include screening and comprehensive assessment to determine level of functioning, and then individual, dyadic, family, and group psychotherapy; safety planning; family education and support; mental health support services (targeted case management) and psychiatry.

 

School-Based Mental Health Treatment
is provided at contracted school sites through partnership and collaboration with the local school district or private/charter schools. At the heart of its mission is the commitment to helping young people access learning and fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive, and rewarding lives. School-based services may include assessment, evidence-based treatment, trauma-informed care, Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), consultation, psychiatry, targeted case management and linkage to resources. Additionally, the School-Based Mental Health Program conducts in-service training for school staff, caregivers, and the community at various times throughout the school year.

 

Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT)
is a collaborative effort between The Help Group, other community providers, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Department of Mental Health (DMH) to conduct timely, strength-based and comprehensive psychosocial assessment of youth entering out-of-home placement. MAT assessments are designed to help identify and meet the special needs of youth to prevent or shorten separation from their family. Goals of the program include earlier access to medical and mental health services and increased collaboration between families, caregivers, service providers and government agencies.

 

Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Program
delivers services that focus on the prevention and early intervention of mental health issues. Prevention services target increase of protective factors. Early intervention services are generally low-intensity and short-term, aimed at improving mental health challenges before they escalate to a need for more intensive services. Outpatient Department currently provides treatment utilizing the following Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs):

• Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) focuses on anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, or trauma among youth age 0-21
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) treats youth age 3-18 that have experienced trauma exposure
• Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) targets trauma in young children (age 0-5) by promoting and strengthening the attachment and relationship between caregiver and child
• Seeking Safety (SS) is a present-focused treatment for consumers age 13+ that exhibit co-occurring trauma symptoms and risky behavior
• Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) aims to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, or the effects of trauma for individuals age 16+
• Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS) – SA 5 only – family-focused therapy for individuals (age 12-30) experiencing prodromal symptoms or their first psychotic break

 

Parenting Education and Support Group

Understanding the importance of the Five Protective Factors Model, which includes parental resilience, social connections, knowledge, support and social/emotional competence, the Outpatient Department site in the valley offers Parenting Education and Support Group. This program aims to enhance family strengths and provide support and resources necessary to create a safe and healthy environment for the development of children. Sessions include interactive and didactic lessons focusing on anger management and impulse control, child development, and parenting skills. The course meets DCFS and court-ordered requirements; fees based on a sliding scale; and certification is offered for the completion of 20 classes.

 

REACH
is a unique afterschool mental health program that uses a multidisciplinary team approach to increase children’s ability to be successful at home, in school, and in the community. Day rehabilitation activities specifically focus on social interaction experiences, resolution of peer and adult conflict, communication skills, and positive experiences with problem solving. Our creative and dedicated staff work to inspire the children through diverse therapeutic group activities driven by the interests of the children, such as sports, arts and crafts, motivational incentives, leadership opportunities, and team building exercises. In addition, REACH offers individual, group, and family therapy, and psychiatric services.

 

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) Program
is short-term service, adjunctive to current mental health services, focused on supporting youth and their caregivers and care teams with overcoming dysregulated behaviors. TBS is specifically intended to meet the needs of children and adolescents at risk of losing their placement and requiring a higher level of care. Eligible clients must be under the age of 21, have full scope Medi-Cal, and be currently receiving Mental Health Services (MHS) services where a higher level of intervention may be beneficial.

 

CalWORKs Mental Health Treatment
In compliance with Los Angeles County’s Welfare-to-Work Program and the Department of Social Services (DPSS), THGCFC’s California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program serves Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and GAIN participants to remove barriers to securing and retaining employment. The goal is to improve the lives of children and families by helping adults and caregivers become economically self-sufficient.

Mental health services include individual therapy utilizing Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) such as Support Employment, Individual CBT, and Seeking Safety. Group services including Life Skills, Vocational Skills, Parent Education, Child-Abuse Prevention, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Seeking Safety. Adjunctive services include psychiatric assessment and medication support, supported employment services, and targeted case management services.

Supported Employment services include four phases: intake, assessment, job placement, and job coaching. Follow-along support is provided. Employment specialists collaborate closely with employers that are selected based on the job seeker’s preferences, to ensure competitive employment opportunities.

 

 

Contact Us

Van Nuys Campus
15339 Saticoy St.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Intake Coordinator for the San Fernando Valley: 818.267.2753

Culver City Campus
12099 Washington Blvd. Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Intake Coordinator for Culver City: 310.751.1184

 

Administration
Vicken Kabakian, LMFT
Senior Director of Outpatient Services, SPA-2 and 5

Michele Burton, PsyD, LMFT
QA Director, SPA-2 and 5

Maureen Lanktree, LMFT
Director of Outpatient Services, Culver City (SPA 5)

Rosalva Almazan, LMFT
Director of Outpatient Programs, Van Nuys (SPA 2)

Ellen Rogelberg, LMFT
Director of Clinical Services, Van Nuys (SPA 2)