CFGC Spring 2014 Newsletter

DONATE TODAY newsletter Spring 2014 VOLUME4: ISSUE4

What’s Inside Healthy Families America.............................................................. 2 4 Steps to Reduce Medication Induced Weight Gain...................... 3 Connecting with Community Resources........................................ 4 Supporting At-risk Toddlers........................................................... 4

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“Champions for Children” Benefit.................................................. 5 Donor List.................................................................................6 - 7 Mental Health Fact

We envision children and families flourishing in vibrant communities.

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70%

of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition

www.childguidance.org

Credits Brandon Smith Editor Michele Johnsen Copywriter Arlet Avanossian Graphic Designer

contributors Xenia Diaz, M.F.T. IBIT Program Manager, Outpatient Service Jason Lambert, M.S.W. Admissions & Case Flow Manager Alpa Patel, M.D .

Director of Psychiatric Services Donna Venezio, L.C.S.W. Director, Community Resource Services

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

heaLTHY FAMILIES AMERICA eARLY INTERVENTION KEEPS FAMILIES STRONG

H

ealthy Families America (HFA) is coming to CFGC in the Antelope Valley this spring! HFA sends a specialist to the homes of families to teach parents healthy parenting skills.

The program takes a holistic approach to child abuse prevention and includes assistance and referrals for transportation, child care, treatment for parents and more. We are the only community mental health organization to offer HFA in the Antelope Valley, and we work with the highest risk families. Some risk factors may include previous involvement with the legal system, Department of Children’s Services, substance abuse or gang involvement.

HFA aims to reduce overall child abuse, neglect and trauma in the community now and in the future. With this innovative program, CFGC works with hospitals to identify families that are at-risk for abuse or trauma within two months of a child’s birth. Then, a CFGC Family Support Specialist works with identified families and regularly follows up until each child reaches age five. This program can prevent trauma and abuse from occurring and help children and families to avoid mental health issues in the future.

Jason Lambert, LCSW Admissions & Case Flow Manager

HEALTH COVERAGE MEANS HEALTHY FAMILIES CFGC’s Children’s Health Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention Program (CHOEUR) pulled out all the stops to get people enrolled in Covered California health insurance plans before the March 31st deadline.

Ensuring that children and families have access to affordable physical and mental health care is part of CFGC’s commitment to the overall wellbeing of families in our community.

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Newsletter | Spring 2014

CHOEUR’s Successes -- July 2013 through March 2014 Total Outreach: 3,561 individuals Total Enrollment: 1,010 individuals Total Utilization & Retention: 591 individuals Informational “swag bags” distributed: 1,000 bags

4 Steps to Taking control of Medication and weight gain Just like adults, the key to children achieving overall wellbeing is maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind. But some people, including children, who take medication for mental health conditions, experience changes in appetite and body weight that can be challenging to control. Fortunately, staying physically fit while sticking to a medication regime is far from impossible. Here are some ways you can help your child to meet that challenge:

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1. Remember that not all medications cause weight gain.

Some actually cause appetite suppression. Be sure to check with your child’s doctor about possible appetite side effects.

Simple, affordable, delicious. And now, (largely) toot-free!

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2. Sometimes weight gain associated with antidepressant

use is related to feeling emotionally better and beginning to enjoy food again. Check with your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist if you notice appetite changes due to new medication.

3. Weight gain can be minimized by increasing attention to

diet and exercise.

4. Remembering to take or dispense medications daily or a

couple of times a day can be difficult. To make it easier, set an alarm on your phone to remind you.

Alpa Patel, MD Director of Psychiatric Services For more information about CFGC’s psychiatric services, please call 818.739.5250 | 661.265.8627 or visit our web site at childguidance.org.

818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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Connecting Families in Need with Community Resources

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FGC’s Linkages Program assists families to access community health, social service and recreational programs in their neighborhoods. Community Resource Specialists meet with parents to assess each family’s needs. They also provide referrals, educate parents and increase understanding of how involvement in enrichment and recreation activities creates resiliency in young people.

Los Angeles’ complex social services can be difficult and time consuming to navigate. In addition, language, economic and cultural barriers make it challenging for parents to identify and utilize support systems. Individualized case management, provided by Community Resource Specialists, teaches parents to independently seek support and services for their children with mental health difficulties. “It takes a village” to raise children and address their unique needs. Linkages tries to empower parents to play a crucial and effective role in this process.

Donna Venezio, LCSW Director, Community Resource Services

supporting families with young, at-risk children

W

hen young children are prepared for kindergarten, they can succeed in their classes, finish high school and eventually go on to college. CFGC’s In-home Behavioral Intervention Team (IBIT) provides early intervention and treatment to 3-5 year olds who are atrisk due to family trauma, behavior and developmental issues, or medical problems.

Two CFGC experts work with each IBIT family and function as a cohesive team. A therapist teaches parents to help their children feel safe through positive discipline, healthy play and strong bonds. A behavior specialist adds an academic component, helping children develop skills for success in school. Therapists and behavior specialists consult often, ensuring that they offer consistent and coordinated care.

Early intervention is key to young children developing healthy relationships and a life-long love of learning. IBIT ensures that children start school ready to succeed!

Xenia Diaz, LMFT IBIT Program Manager, Outpatient Services 4

Newsletter | Spring 2014

Donor spotlight: Mary and jim galbraith

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n 1977, Mary Galbraith and her husband Jim had just moved to the San Fernando Valley. Mary wanted to volunteer to connect with her new community when she spotted an ad in the Los Angeles Times’ “Involvement Opportunities” section for an open clerical volunteer position at CFGC (then called the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic). She was given the position, and her volunteer work proved exceptional. Soon after, Mary became Director of Volunteers, overseeing 125 volunteers through the early 1980s. Later, Mary served as President of the Board of Directors from 1989-1990, Chairperson from 1990-1992 and joined the Emeritus Board in 1999.

“I consider myself a life-long volunteer,” Mary said. “I like to tell people that I started off stuffing envelopes and ended up Chairman of the Board.”

Mary’s husband Jim has also been a vital friend to CFGC. As a member of the Board of the Hilton Foundation, he provided support in obtaining the seed money to develop our Community Family Center (CFC) at the Park Parthenia Apartments in Northridge. CFC remains one of our most innovative and beneficial programs. And, Mary and Jim both continue to make generous financial contributions to the agency to this day.

“CFGC taught me so much about the power of community involvement and showed me what is possible when children get the care they need to thrive,” Mary added. “Jim and I will always contribute to CFGC’s important work.”

mark your calendars!

Board Officers 2013-2014 Eric M. Book, Chair Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Melissa Broadwell, Vice Chair Matadors Community Credit Union Joyce L. Barkin, Treasurer Community Advocate Deborah M. Neal, Ed. D., Secretary Community Advocate Shekhar Chikhalikar, ESQ SNC Law Office Linda Drescher Travelers Services of Southern California Ramon Escobedo, Jr. Gault Street School Robert Garcia, Jr., ESQ Law Offices of Jeffrey C. McIntyre Nancy Lee Grahn ABC Television Janice Kyser Community Advocate Myles M. Mattenson, ESQ Karineh Moradian Kaiser Permanente Sari Scheer Community Advocate Ken Teasdale LaRue, Corrigan, McCormick & Teasdale LLP Bonnie Weissman Kaiser Permanente Bill Winkelmann Anheuser-Busch Inc.

818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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We gratefully acknowledge and appreciate our generous donors July 1, 2013 - January 15, 2014 Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Abrams Absolute Air Conditioning Co. Dr. Donald Adler Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Adler Mr. Ronald E. Altman Amgen Foundation Mr. Bauback Amini Mr. George F. Anisman Mr. & Mrs. Eddard Aparcio-Romero Mr. Sheldon Arak AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign Ms. Jodi Baer-Pynes Mr. & Mrs. Mark Balkin Ms. Joyce Barkin Mrs. Lucille Berkowitz Mrs. Johanna Bhatia Mrs. Roberta Bliss Ms. Aviva Bobb Mrs. Rosanna Bogart Mr. & Mrs. Eric Book Ms. Saundra Borie Mrs. Eileen Borow Mr. Peter Breslin Mr. & Mrs. Rob Broadwell Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Brown Mr. & Mrs. Leonard C. Bunyan Mr. & Mrs. Richard Burns California Community Fndn Callaway Vineyard & Winery Dr. & Mrs. Stanton R. Canter Capital Cities Dr. & Mrs. Robert Caraway Ms. Melody Carnes Mr. & Mrs. Louis Casas Ms. Alexis Casillas Cayucas Ms. Rachelle Cohen Ms. Patricia Colby Ms. Phyllis Cole Community Health Charities Dr. Craig Conlon & Marcia Glick Mr. Ernest Contreras Cresa Partners Mrs. Evelyn Cronan Croshal Entertainment Group 6

Newsletter | Fall 2013

Ms. Christine A. Culler Dr. Mark DeAntonio Ms. Madai DeLa Fuente Mrs. Barbara Dickson Mr. Michael Diehl Mrs. Claire Doctrow Mr. & Mrs. Dale Donalson Mrs. Barbara Dorfman Mrs. Linda Dresch Ms. Sylvia Duran Mrs. Jennie Durrah Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Elkins Ms. Rochelle Elkins Mr. & Mrs. Richard Elman Emancipator Mr. Mitchell Englander Mr. & Mrs. Ivan Faggen Dr. Maurice Fields Ms. Constance Firring Mrs. Evaline Fishman Ms. Kelly Foster Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Freed Ms. Kimberly Frelow Ms. Linda Friedman Mr. & Mrs. James Galbraith Garai Mailing Ms. Mary Beth Garber Mr. & Mrs. Robert Garcia The Glendale Arts Mrs. Coralie R. Goldsmith Mrs. Evelyn Goldstein Mrs. Bella Goldstine Mr. & Mrs. Rolf Gompertz David Gordon & Donna Schwarzbach Mr. Larry Gottlieb Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Gottlieb Ms. Laura Graff Granada Hills Woman’s Club Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Green Mr. Ben Greenberg Mrs. Marilyn Greenberg

Mr. Earl Greinetz Mrs. Kathy Gribin Ms. Irene Gutwirth Mrs. Shirley Haiman Hanni El Khatib Mrs. Amy Hanrahan Mr. Colin Hay & Cecelia Noel Mr. & Mrs. Ron Hein Ms. Doreen Hill Ms. Arlene Hirschler Mr. & Mrs. Burt Homonoff Mr. Harry Horowitz Mrs. Eunice Horwitz Image Mover Ms. Sheila Irani Mr. & Mrs. David Jackson Dr. & Mrs. Lester Kahn Kaiser Permanente Mr. & Mrs. Hal Kassner Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Katz Ms. Evelyn Kazick Keiter Family Foundation Mr. Eddie Keller Ms. Jan Kepes Ms. Roberta Kessler Mr. Kaye R. Kiddoo Kids Charities of the Antelope Valley Lester Kiss & Nicholas Collier Mr. & Mrs. Jim Klescz Dr. Paul Klinger Kohl’s Department Store Mrs. Barbara Kostin Mrs. Barbara Kramer Ms. Donna Kramer Kroger/Ralphs Grocery Company Ms. Bette A. Krushell Mrs. Geraldine Kurnick Mrs. Janice Kyser Ms. Estelyn La Hive Mr. & Mrs. Randy Lapin Mrs. Barbara Larsen

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

Ms. Hope Lash Mr. & Mrs. Jeff D. Later Mr. & Mrs. Don Lautenschlager Mrs. Elaine Lax Mrs. Cecily Lerner Ms. Elaine Levin Ms. Nancy Linn Mr. Steven Lipton & Robbin Mashbein Mrs. Marion Litzer Mrs. Judy Livingston Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Mrs. Sandra Locks Mrs. Etiennette Lowen Ms. Marguerite Lyon Ms. Norma Magee Mrs. Rhea Markenson Eileen Lopez & Roy Marshall Ms. Loraine S. Mason Mr. Myles M. Mattenson Mr. & Mrs. William Mayman Mr. James McCracken Karen McTier and Hugh Colvin Mrs. Dina Mead MEIKO Melaleuca The Wellness Co. Mr. Huey Merchant Mrs. Linda Milder Mr. & Mrs. Corrado Militi Mr. Allan Miller Mr. & Mrs. Steve Miller Mr. Ken Mintz Ms. Darien Morea Mrs. Harriet Moretzsky Morgan Stanley Mrs. Sylvia Morstein Ms. Kathleen Motoike Musashi Japanese Restaurant Ms. Sena Naslund Ms. Leslie Joan Nathan Ms. Amy Newman Drs. David & Laura Pair Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Ms. France Pelis Rio Phior & Tony Fisch Phoenix Trading Joy and Gerald Picus Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Pinkerton Mrs. Nadine Polak Steven Poretzky & Patty Woo Ms. Maureen Powers Ms. Carolyn Raskin Ms. Dorri Z Raskin Mr. & Mrs. Howard Richman Ms. Karen Riesenfeld Rival Tides Mrs. Deborah Rodriguez Mrs. Adrienne Rosen Ms. Lea Rosendahl Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Rothblatt Mrs. Madlyn Rothfield Ms. Judith Rothman Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Rubinstein Mr. & Mrs. Jorge A. Sandoval Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Scheer Ms. Sari Scheer & Eric Frank Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Scheibel Mr. & Mrs. Paul Schneider Ms. Sally Schneider Ms. Elaine Schreiber Mrs. Margarita Schweisberger Ms. Mona Seidenberg Dr. & Mrs. Martin Shaperman Ms. Carol Siembieda Mr. & Mrs. Charles Silverberg Mr. Laurence Simon Mrs. Joan Sitnick Ms. Carol Sookman Spark of Love Spectacle Group Peter Spitzer & Deborah Gold Mr. Robert Stadd Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stein Ms. Shirely Stern Mrs. Barbara Swedelson

Ms. Renee Symans Target Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Teasdale Ms. Sandy Tilsen Ms. Maxine F. Tobey Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Tomingas Mr. & Mrs. Duc Tu United Way of Greater LA Ms. Cherene Unrau Ms. Julia Voce Mrs. Bonnie Weissman Dr. Kathy Welch-Torres & Edward Torres Mr. & Mrs. Alan Whitman Mrs. Simona Wildman Mrs. Delia Wilkerson Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Hank Winn Mrs. Francis Wolf Mr. & Mrs. Louis Wolff Woodland Hills Private School Mr. & Mrs. Fred Zeleznick

Together we can fulfilL our mission and create positive MENTAL health outcomes 818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org

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