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Families First

 

The CSP Families First Program consists of a series of programs designed to treat at risk, Severely Disturbed youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who are experiencing behavioral/emotional problems in their homes or school and may be in jeopardy of being removed from their current placement.   Youth and their families have an option of attending one of two different programs both of which are designed to meet their individual and families/caretakers needs.  These programs provide individual, group, and family therapy, social skills training, anger management and assertiveness groups, and other supervised skills and psychodynamic groups which encourage positive  interaction and self expression. 

Families First -Day Treatment Program , located in the Renaissance Lyceum ACCESS School, which is operated by the Orange County Department of Education in Fountain Valley, offers a wide variety of services from a  junior and senior high school level curriculum, a Contract Learning Program, School Work Program (ROP) and Special Education services. During the afternoon with a staff of trained counselors and youth supervisors, the structured program includes individual, group and family therapy, social skills training, supervised recreation, in addition to parent education and support.

Families First -After School Program provides treatment for youth that are currently having their educational needs met at their home school.  Families First therapists and staff offer in home individual and family therapy, medication monitoring, as well as structured group therapy 3 days a week, social skills training, supervised recreation, in addition to parent education and support.

"I have been through a lot of bad situations. Families First has really helped me in many different ways, Families First is a great program that will help me succeed in life…We work with them and they work with us. They can put you on the right path to become a great person in society. It can change your life completely if you put your heart in it" - Current client: 12-year-old girl.

Families First began in July, 1992, and was funded under a federal grant for five years as a collaborative effort of CSP, the Orange County Social Service Agency, and the Orange County Department of Education.  The program evaluation for that time indicates that the program saved the County of Orange almost $2.5 million, about $18,000 per child, that would otherwise have been spent on group home care.  Analysis of behavior management issues indicates considerable improvement for all clients, even those who left the program prematurely.  The program is now funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency under Medi-Cal guidelines and all clients must be receiving Medi-Cal.

"I have come a long way with the help of my caring therapist and staff. My therapist has been by my side through it all, always telling me the good qualities about myself and the talents that I have earned and built" - Current client: 17-year-old boy.

"I've been in Families First for about 1 year. Things have changed a lot in my life, getting along with my brother now and my grandma. If Families First wasn't there, I wouldn't be with my grandma right now - I would be in Orangewood" - Current client: 15-year-old girl.

Day Treatment program

  • Youth attend an OCDE ACCESS school

  • Program is 5 days a week for 3 hours a day

  • On-site, Individual, Family and group therapy by licensed therapists

  • Psychiatric and medication support services

  • Crisis intervention services

  • Parent education and support groups for parents of at-risk teens

  • 24/7 on call therapists

After School Treatment program

  • Program is 3 day a week for 2 hours a day - during school hours

  • In-home Individual and Family Therapy

  • Psychiatric and medication support services

  • TBS Services

  • Parent education and support groups for parents of at-risk teens

  • 24/7 on call therapists

Eligibility ~ Families First provides services to youth who:

  • Have Orange County Medi-Cal

  • Self harm

  • Are aggressive and have anger issues

  • Have poor peer relations or fight with family members

  • Are truant from school

  • Are oppositional or defiant

  • Are anxious or depressed

  • Are hyperactive or who have ADHD

  • Have a history of abuse

  • Have other behavioral or emotional problems which impact peer, family, school or community relations

**Transportation may be available on an as needed basis

 

If you would like to contact CSP's Families First Program, please email familiesfirst@CSPinc.org, call (714) 796-8716 or go to the Contact Information page.  If you have any other questions or comments, please email generalinfo@CSPinc.org.