CFGC Fall 2015 Newsletter

DONATE TODAY newsletter Fall 2015 VOLUME 4: ISSUE 10

What’s Inside Pledge to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse.................................... 2 Facts About Co-Occurring Disorder................................................ 3 There When Families Need Us Most

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CFGC and PALS Keep Kids Safe ...................................................... 4

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Donor Spotlight -- Newman Aaronson Vanaman Attorneys.......... 5 List of CFGC Donors....................................................................6-7

Mental Health Fact

We envision children and families flourishing in vibrant communities.

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AGE 15

74% of Adults who abuse substances started using before the age of 17

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www.childguidance.org

Credits Brandon Smith Editor Michele Johnsen Copywriter

contributors Sue Bruno Executive Administator LAPD Devonshire PALS Alpa Patel, MD Director of Psychiatric Services Jelga Ramirez, BA Community Outreach Program Coordinator Meredith Sheldon, LCSW TBS Program Manager

Executive Staff Roy Marshall, M.P.A. President/CEO Jeff Adler, Ph.D. Director of Operations Duc Tu Director of Finance Kathleen Welch-Torres, Ph.D. Director of Programs

cfgc’s alt:ur attitude challenges parents and caregivers to talk about preventing youth substance abuse

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id you know that 74% of adults who abuse substances began using prior to age 17? Many factors contribute to whether a young person chooses to use alcohol or drugs. But, parents and caregivers that recognize, discuss and address substance abuse with their adolescents give their children a strong foundation to make good choices.

CFGC is committed to reducing the impact of youth substance abuse. We have launched the Alt:UR Attitude community health campaign to help parents talk about alcohol, drugs and peer pressure with adolescents, and set limits and boundaries.

Alt:UR Attitude offers everyone a chance to make a difference – whether you have an adolescent living at home, or you care about young people in your community. Here are a few ways you can help: 1.. Take the pledge. Whether you are a parent, or interact with . adolescents in another way, you can be a positive influence!

2.. Spread the word. Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to spread the word about CFGC’s Alt:UR Attitude campaign.

3.. Volunteer. Find out about the many ways you can help youth discover healthy alternatives to substance use.

4.. Donate. Contribute to Alt:UR Attitude as we address . the problem of youth substance abuse. Give today and your donation goes twice as far thanks to a matching gift challenge by CFGC patrons Linda & Frank Damon.

Alt:UR Attitude enables you to be part of a community of positive role models for teens and preteens.

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Newsletter | Fall 2015

mental health Facts: Co-Occurring Disorder

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lthough most people with mental health concerns do not have problems with alcohol or drugs, some are at increased risk for substance abuse. When both mental health issues and addiction occur for the same individual, it is called a Co-Occuring Disorder. Coping with both these issues at the same time is complicated, but mental health and recovery programs offer help and support, enabling people to live full, healthy and productive lives. Here are some facts about Co-Occurring Disorder: 1. Scientific studies suggest more than 1/3 of alcohol

abusers and more than 1/2 of drug abusers are also battling mental illness.

2. Some people with untreated mental health issues

use drugs and alcohol to “self-medicate.” This usually makes mental health problems worse. It’s always better to work with mental health providers who can determine the right course of medication and/or therapy.

#CFGCtips Twitter The Impact of Parental Alienation on Children Undermining loving parent-child relationships as child maltreatment.

Read more @CFGCtips

Debunking 11 Domestic Vilence Myths Sadly, a US Department of Justice study indicates that approximately one million violent crimes are committed by former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends each year, with 85 percent of the victims being women.

Read more @CFGCtips

3. Mentally healthy people can experience an onset of

mental health problems as a symptom of drug and/ or alcohol abuse. Examples include “alcohol-induced mood disorder,” “marijuana-induced anxiety disorder” and more.

4. Coping with addictions can be difficult. But, there are many helpful options, including substance abuse counsellors, recovery groups and rehabilitation centers.

Powerful Way to Raise Kids Focuses on the Strong Strength-based parenting is the secret to helping children handle stress and become more confident and resilient, according to a groundbreaking new study published in the journal Psychology.

Read more @CFGCtips

5. People in treatment for Co-Occuring Disorder benefit from supportive family members and friends who both listen and maintain healthy boundaries.

Mental health professionals can help families and friends learn to be empathetic without the risk of unintentionally enabling them to use substances.

Alpa Patel, MD Director, Psychiatric Services

818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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#CFGCtips Facebook Three words we must tell our kids other than, “i love you!”

Helping children feel good about themselves Read more at: cfgctips.childguidance.org

50 everyday ways to love your teen The small things that matter in a teenager’s life Read more at: cfgctips.childguidance.org

Helping children who cry easily When your child is prone to tears Read more at: cfgctips.childguidance.org

CFGC clinical specialists: there when families need them most

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arents and caregivers of children with serious mental health issues can feel overburdened and alone. But, with our Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), expert support is available to them, especially during their most difficult times.

TBS specialists work with young people, from birth to 21, who are most severely affected by mental and emotional issues. Our staff support youth at risk of expulsion from school, aggressive behaviors, or hospitalization.

Young clients learn communication and anger management skills, and enhance their ability to control impulses and cope with strong emotions.

With these new skills, they are able to succeed in school and life.

Traditional therapy relies on in-office meetings between therapists and clients. But, TBS is available in family homes or the community at the moment when services are needed most. If a parent struggles with a child who has tantrums before going to sleep, a TBS therapist will arrange to be there at bedtime. Or, if a teen acts aggressively towards peers during school, a therapist will work with the teacher and student to resolve conflicts. Services are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at home, school, or wherever else they are needed.

TBS’s success has led to significant growth in the four years since the program’s launch. Originally, TBS employed four therapists to work with about 15 young people. Today, with support from two TBS supervisors,10 TBS specialists serve about 50 young clients and their families. Five additional TBS specialists work full time at Rancho San Antonio, a residential agency for adolescent boys who are court ordered to receive rehabilitation services. TBS’s newest expansion offers services in the Antelope Valley.

CFGC is proud to help children reach their highest potential where they live, work and play.

Meredith Sheldon, LCSW TBS Program Manager

CFGC and Pals Keeping kids healthy and safe

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here is nothing like the joy of school children on their way to dance lessons, sports activities, art classes and field trips. That’s a common sight afternoons when school gets out and children served by CFGC’s Community Family Center (CFC) walk just one block to the LAPD Devonshire Division Police Activity League Supporters (PALS) Youth Center. For more than a decade, a partnership between CFGC and PALS has enabled both to do more than they could have alone to help local youth thrive by offering children a “whole community” of support.

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Newsletter | Fall 2015

Jelga Ramirez, BA Community Outreach

CFGC and PALS (Continued from Page 4)

Board officers 2015-2016

Our Community Family Center (CFC), located at Park Parthenia Apartments in Northridge, offers mental health and support services such as parenting classes and family health insurance enrollment to put kids on the path to success. PALS fills other needs to keep at-risk kids off the streets and pursuing their interests instead. They offer field trips, help with homework and classes in music, sports and art. PALS programs are supervised by two LAPD officers, a program manager and dedicated volunteers. The healthy messages children receive at CFC are reinforced by caring members of the community, and positive relationships are built with police officers from a young age.

Melissa Broadwell, Chair Matadors Community Credit Union

CFC and PALS form a synergistic “family” of services. CFC relies on PALS to help children make healthy choices instead of engaging in gang activity and

drug use. And, PALS counts on CFC when they identify children who could benefit from mental health services. We look forward to many more years of collaboration in serving children and families.

Ken Teasdale, Vice Chair LaRue, Corrigan, McCormick & Teasdale LLP Joyce L. Barkin, Treasurer Community Advocate Deborah M. Neal, Ed.D., Secretary Community Advocate Eric M. Book Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Alexis Casillas Newman, Aaronson & Vanaman Linda Drescher Community Advocate

Sue Bruno Executive Administrator LAPD Devonshire PALS

donor spotlight: newman aaronson vanaman attorneys

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or decades, the law firm Newman Aaronson Vanaman (NAV) has improved the lives of children in our community.

Established in 1981, NAV is Southern California’s first law firm to represent children with disabilities, helping them receive appropriate educational programs. Partner Valerie Vanaman, an acknowledged leader in representation for individuals with disabilities, is a long-time supporter of CFGC. In 2013, Valerie received Valerie Vanaman CFGC’s Champions for Children award for her work with youth and steadfast support of our agency. NAV clients are referred to CFGC when they need mental health services. CFGC refers to NAV when clients need excellent legal assistance to access rights within the educational system.

In 2014, Newman Aaronson Vanaman attorney Alexis Casillas became a member of our Board of Directors. Alexis is a great asset, bringing with her a strong commitment to creating better lives for children.

Robert Garcia, Jr., Esq. Law Offices of Jeffrey C. McIntyre Janice Kyser Community Advocate Myles M. Mattenson, Esq. Rick Pearson Cresa Sari Scheer Community Advocate Bonnie Weissman Kaiser Permanente Bill Winkelmann Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

CFGC is grateful to Newman Aaronson Vanaman for their support and partnership throughout the decades!

Alexis Casillas

818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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We gratefully acknowledge and appreciate our generous donors November 1, 2014 - October 31 , 2015 DONORS Mr & Mrs Herbert Abrams Dr & Mrs Jeffrey Adler Ms Cherrylaine Albornoz All Action Security MrJeffrey Allen Mr Ronald E Altman Mr Hiran Amerasinghe Mrs Susan Andraus Mr George F Anisman Mr & Mrs John Ansen Mr & Mrs Eddard Aparcio-Romero Ms Ceil Arbetman-Larkin AT&T Employee Giving Campaign Ms Jodi Baer-Pynes Mr & Mrs Eli Baker Ms Joyce Barkin Barkin Perren Schwager & Dolan LLP Ms Francesca Barua Mr & Mrs Andrew Benson Mrs Marion Berkovitz Mrs Lucille Berkowitz Mr & Mrs Jack Berman Mr & Mrs Mark Berman Ms Miriam Birndorf Mrs Roberta Bliss Ms Beth R Bloom Ms Terri Bloomgarden Mrs Rosanna Bogart Mr & Mrs Eric M Book Mrs Eileen Borow Mr & Mrs Michael P Bridge Mr & Mrs Bill Broadwell Mr & Mrs Jeffrey Broadwell Mr & Mrs Rob Broadwell Ms Karen Brown Mr & Mrs James Brueggemann Mrs Mildred Bryson-Davis Mr & Mrs Leonard C Bunyan Ms Cindy Busto Ms Rocio Cabrales California Community Foundation Dr & Mrs Stanton R Canter Mr & Mrs Louis Casas Alexis Casillas & Jordan Segall Mr & Mrs Daniel Chernin Mrs Elaine Cherry Chopra Investment Group Inc Mr & Mrs Ken Chotiner Ms Joy Coburn 6

Newsletter | Fall 2015

Mr & Mrs Matthew Cohen Ms Rachelle Cohen Mr & Mrs Frank Collie Mr & Mrs Mark Cordell Mr Luis Cox Cresa Cares Foundation Cresa Los Angeles Ms Darla K Cunningham Mr & Mrs Frank Damon Dr & Mrs Bernard Davidorf DaVita HealthCare DrMark DeAntonio Mr & Mrs Joseph DeVita Mrs Barbara Dickson Mr & Mrs Dale Donalson Mr & Mrs Ronald Donis Mrs Barbara Dorfman Mrs Linda Drescher Ms Karen Drew Mrs Marilyn T Durbin E-Scrip Mr & Mrs James K Easton EastWest Bank Ms Nannette Edelman Mr & Mrs Sid Eiduson Mr & Mrs Bruce Elkins Mr & Mrs Richard Elman Mr Earl English Mr & Mrs Ivan Faggen Dr Maurice Fields Firehouse Subs AV Mall Mr William Forthman Mr & Mrs Raymond Freed Nancy Elise Gabriel & Ichiro Sugioka Mr & Mrs James Galbraith Mr & Mrs Rick Galbraith Garai Mailing – Pam & Dana Karlin Mrs Linda Garcia Mr Robert Garcia Ms Heidi Gifford Ms Valerie Gilpeer Mr & Mrs Jack Glantz Debra Gold & Peter Spitzer Mr & Mrs Rolf Gompertz Ms Melinda Gordon David Gordon & Donna Schwarzbach Mr & Mrs Mark S Gottlieb Granada Hills Woman's Club Ms Donna Granata

Mrs Marilyn Greenberg Mr & Mrs Robert Greene Mrs Kathy Gribin Mrs Shirley Haiman Mrs Natalie Hall Ms Carol Halperin Ms Randi Halpin Mrs Bette Hamer Hamer Toyota Mrs Judith Hauss Ms Olga Hayes Mrs Marion Hillman Conrad N Hilton Foundation Mrs Marsha Hirsch Mr Rob Hollman Devery Noal Holmes Mr Harry Horowitz Dr Stephen J Howard Hub International Insurance Mr Ian Hunter Johnson & Pham LLP Dr & Mrs Lester Kahn Kaiser Permanente Mr & Mrs Jerome Kaleko Lilli Kalmenson & Sid Rosenbloom Mrs Michelle Kaplan Mr & Mrs Robert F Katz Mrs Elaine Keith Mr Kaye R Kiddoo Kids Charities Mrs Carol Klein Dr Paul Klinger Kohl's Department Store Mrs Barbara Kostin Mrs Barbara Kramer Ms Donna Kramer Kroger/Ralphs Grocery Company Mrs Janice Kyser Mr Raymond Kyser Mrs Renee Lamkay Mrs Meryl Lander LaRue Corrigan McCormick & Teasdale Ms Hope Lash Dr & Mrs Joseph Lassman Mr & Mrs Don Lautenschlager Mrs Elaine Lax Mr & Mrs David Lazar Mr & Mrs Victor LeBreton Ms Diane Lee

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ission: CFGC empowers children and families to achieve health and wellbeing through innovative mental health services and community programs.

DONORS CONTINUED Mrs Jo Ellen Lee Mrs Cecily Lerner Ms Danielle Lescure Ms Elaine Levin Mrs Natalie Levin Mr & Mrs Michael Levine Ms Michele Licht Steven Lipton & Robbin Mashbein Ms Pamela Lishey Ms Beverly Little-Lofton Lockheed Martin Aeronaautics Employees' Reaching Out Club Lockheed Mrs Sandra Locks Ms Evelyn Lowe Mrs Etiennette Lowen Ms Minda Magero Mr & Mrs Jerry Malkin Ms Vicki Malone Manhattan Police Department Mrs Rhea Markenson Mr Roy Marshall & Eileen Lopez Mr Myles M Mattenson Mr & Mrs William Mayman Mr & Mrs William McAuley Mr Edward McCloskey Dr Eva McCraven Ms Vahe Medzoyan Melaleuca The Wellness Company Mr Huey Merchant Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Mrs Linda Milder Ms Helen Minanian Mr & Mrs Zelber Minnix Ms Hiroko Miyake Ms Babs Mondschein Mr & Mrs John Mongillo Mrs Harriet Moretzsky Morgan Stanley Mrs Marlene Motkin Mr Ignacio Murillo Mr & Mrs Delmont Neal Ms Leah Nestel Mr & Mrs Joel Nevens Ms Lorraine New Newman Aaronson Vanaman NHBB NH Ball Bearings Inc Ms Teresa Nitescu Northeast Valley Health Corp Mrs Caroline Novack

Ms Deedy Oberman Dr and Mrs David Pair Pampered Chef Park Parthenia Ltd Mr & Mrs Mark Pash Dr Alpa Patel Mr & Mrs Rick Pearson Ms France Pelis Rio Phior & Tony Fisch Hon Joy & Dr Gerald Picus Mr Eli Pindler Mr & Mrs Ronald Pinkerton Steven Poretzky & Patty Woo Ms Maureen Powers Ms Carolyn Raskin Ms Dorri Z Raskin Mr Randy Rider Ms Karen Riesenfeld NPO Solutions – Mr Warren Riley Ms Emma Rodriguez Mrs Adrienne Rosen Mrs Shirley Rosenberg Mrs Madlyn Rothfield Ms Judith Rothman Mr & Mrs Herbert Rubinstein Ms Stephanie Ann Saliger Ms Ann Saltzman Mr & Mrs Joseph M Scheer Sari Scheer & Eric Frank Scherzer International Carol & Larry Scherzer Mr & Mrs Michael P Schmidt Mrs Miriam Schneider Mr & Mrs Michael Schneir Ms Barbara Schnirel Schrillo Family Foundation Ms Brenda Schwartz Mrs Merilla Scott Mr Devin Shanthikumar Dr & Mrs Martin Shaperman Mr & Mrs Gerald Shapiro Mr Jeff Sherman Sherman Oaks Woman's Club Ms Carol Siembieda Mrs Sandra Sigman Mr & Mrs Charles Silverberg Mrs Karen Simon Ms Carol Sookman Mrs Ruth Steele

Ms Dori Stegman Mr & Mrs Robert Stein Mr & Mrs Keith Steinbaum Mr & Mrs Andrew Steinberg Mrs Maxine Straus Mrs Irene Strauss Mrs Bernice Strull Mrs Sandra Stuart Mr & Mrs Kenneth Teasdale Mr & Mrs Robert Thau Ms Lisa Thompson-Boudreau Ms Sandy Tilsen Ms Maxine F Tobey Mr & Mrs Steven R Tomingas Mr & Mrs Thanh Tran Truist Mr & Mrs Duc Tu Mrs Andrea Tufts United Way of Greater Los Angeles Ms Valerie Vanaman Ms Donna Venezio Mr & Mrs Robert Voeste Mr Kyle Wedde Ms Iris Weinmann Dr Kathy Welch-Torres & Edward Torres Mr & Mrs Sheldon Welles Mrs Bonnie Wexler Mr & Mrs Alan Whitman Mrs Marjorie Wilder Ms Stefanie Wilder-Taylor Mrs Simona Wildman Mrs Delia Wilkerson Mr & Mrs Stephen Winston Mr & Mrs Louis Wolff Ms Dawn Wood Woodland Hills Private School Mr Ryan Wunderlich Mr and Mrs Aaron Yoscovitz Mr & Mrs Fred Zeleznick Ms Tanya Zoerb

818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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