Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Central Region Community Violence Services program
Funded by the County of San Diego
Culturally competent and bilingual staff engage in community-based, family driven, and evidenced-based community violence services to ethnically diverse communities in the San Diego Central Region.
In partnership with PowerMentor, Inc., Overcoming Gangs and Beyond and Jackie Robinson YMCA, UPAC provides support and education to children and their families who have witnessed violence, and teams which provide immediate response to gang and community violence.
School-based clinics (Rainbow Project)
Funded by the County of San Diego
Established in 1991, the program provides school-based crisis intervention, assessment, case management, collateral consultation, and individual, group and family counseling for diverse low –income students and their families. Services are provided in ten (10) San Diego Unified School District schools, and five (5) North County School District schools.
Outpatient Clinic
Funded by the County of San Diego
Culturally and linguistically appropriate Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services are provided to Central Region’s Medi-Cal eligible or uninsured severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. Ninety (90) children, ages 5-18, and their families with Medi-Cal insurance receive support in reducing acting out behaviors, improving peer and family communication and improving school performance. Counseling, education and support are provided to at risk children and adolescents to reduce suicidal ideation and attempts, and improve functioning in home and school settings.
Community Services for Families (CSF)
In Partnership with Social Advocates for Youth (SAY)
Families at risk or in crisis in Central Region are assisted with culturally competent prevention and intervention services. The goals of community-based services include: a) providing family support which promotes the safety and well being of children and their families; b) creating a safe, stable and supportive family environment, c) strengthening parental relationships and healthy marriages; and d) enhancing child development. Program collaborates with Child Welfare Services to provide family reunification support and preservation of families’ connection to their support systems. The program targets neighborhoods with the highest risk of child abuse and neglect due to poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other socioeconomic factors. In FY 2008-09, staff with linguistic capabilities in Spanish, Cambodian, Filipino, Vietnamese and English provided 5,264.5 service hours to 67 families most in need.
1031 25TH Street
San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: 619 232-6454 Fax: 619 235-4607
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Director: Angela Chen, MFT, MBA
UPAC Senior Program Therapist is honored at San Diego’s 24th Annual Mental Health Recognition Dinner
Polly Stevenson Hewson, M.A. has been a dedicated therapist at UPAC’s Child and Adolescent Services for over eight years. Her enthusiasm and drive to improve the challenging situations her clients face is impressive. She applies her considerable therapeutic skills to help children at Porter Elementary School and various others. Polly cares deeply about the children’s well-being and the well-being of their families. She often goes the extra mile to ensure that families have the resources they need. The children love “Miss Polly” and grow more resilient and confident as a result of being in therapy with her. UPAC is excited and pleased to recognize Polly as a very valuable member of our staff.